Seven Words

Proceeding from the intriguing premise that the 1786 premiere of Haydn's The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross was, in its way, a multimedia event incorporating special texts and lighting, the Met recontextualizes the work with a video installation by Israel-born New York artist Ofri Cnaani that employs images from the museum's permanent collection. Entrusted with Haydn's sublimely solemn music is the Salzburg Chamber Orchestra, directed by Lavard Skou-Larsen.