During his stay in London, Haydn became acquainted with Handel’s oratorios. At Westminister Abbey in 1791, he was so moved by the Hallelujah chorus that he burst into tears and shouted, “He is the master of us all”. Haydn was sixty-five years of age when he undertook the greatest work of his life, The Creation. When urged to bring it to a conclusion more rapidly, he replied, "I spend much time over it, because I intend it to last a long time." The first public performance was given in Vienna, March 19, 1799, Haydn's name-day. Its success was immediate, and ironically rivalled that of Messiah. Joined by a stellar cast of soloists, we are pleased to have the internationally acclaimed English conductor Richard Hickox whose performances of Haydn have been highly praised

Conductor: Richard Hickox
Soloists: Sara Macliver, Paul McMahon, John Wegner
Sydney Philharmonia Symphony Chorus
Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra

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