When Joseph Haydn's oratorio premiered in 1798 it became an immediate hit and has remained hugely popular among classical singers and audiences ever since then. The Sydney Philharmonia Choirs' Festival Chorus will join with The Metropolitan Orchestra for one performance of the piece, which depicts the creation of the world as described in the Book of Genesis.
The choir will be joined by soloists Jud Arthur and Taryn Fiebig, two of Australia's leading operatic vocalists who also happen to be married.
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs' music director Brett Weymark said: “There’s something very special about coming to the Sydney Town Hall for this show. It’s a large venue, accommodating up to 2,000 people, but allowing for an intimate sound, with the choir literally wrapped around you. In this concert we’ll be creating the sort of feel that Haydn would have expected to have heard in his home town of Vienna - with a large chorus of over 350 singers and a stellar line up of soloists, accompanied by a magnificent orchestra. I’m also thrilled that this production marks Sydney Philharmonia’s first collaboration with the brilliant team at the TMO.”