Sir Simon Rattle leads the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in final concert of the National Concert Hall’s 13/14 Season

On 4 May 2014, 8pm the renowned and revered Sir Simon Rattle will lead the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) and Choir of Enlightenment with guest soloists in a performance of Haydn’s great oratorio ‘The Creation’, acknowledged by many as the crowning glory of Haydn’s brilliant career, and one of the greatest achievements in the history of music. 

The Orchestra, choir and conductor will be joined by guest soloists Susan Gritton (soprano), John Mark Ainsley (tenor) and Peter Rose (bass) for this mammoth work of grandeur and profundity, arranged in three sections. With the use of period instruments, the OAE are able to perform this magnificent piece as it would have been heard by Haydn himself.

Written in 1796, The Creation depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as described in the biblical Book of Genesis with a majority of the text taken from the first few chapters of Genesis, the Book of Psalms and John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost. It brings to life every aspect of its biblical text from the black emptiness before the First Day to the heat of the sun as it rises for the first time.

This finale concert will bring to a close the ‘13/’14 International Concert Hall Series at the National Concert Hall which saw over 20 world-class musicians perform at the National Concert Hall, including superstar pianist Lang Lang, UK choral ensemble The Sixteen, the renowned Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Vasily Petrenko, the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra with esteemed conductor Marin Alsop and many more.

The 1’4/’15 International Concert Series will be announced, Monday 28 April at 12.45pm at the National Concert Hall. See www.nch.ie for more details on Monday 28th.

Sunday 4 May 2014, 8pm
Orchestra of The Age of Enlightenment
Choir of Enlightenment
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor
Susan Gritton soprano
John-Mark Ainsley, tenor
Peter Rose, bass
Haydn             ‘The Creation’
Tickets: €65, €75, €85, €95 (Choir Balcony €45) National Concert Hall Box Office Tel: 01 417 0000 or www.nch.ie