Washington Bach Consort: Haydn's 'Die Schöpfung' ("The Creation") – from Genesis to Milton's 'Paradise Lost'

• Michele Kennedy, soprano
• Thomas Cooley, tenor
• Edmund Milly, bass

Completed five decades after Bach's death, Die Schöpfung ("The Creation") offers a significant milestone in the development of the oratorio genre. Strongly influenced by Handel's definitive examples of the high Baroque, Haydn's Creation conveys Gottfried van Swieten's German libretto in sharp musical focus, with vivid characterizations of the creation story described in the book of Genesis. Beginning with the captivating orchestral representation of Chaos, we experience a world brought into beautiful order in seven days, culminating with the union of Adam and Eve. This epic work is best experienced live, sung in the language of its premiere performance (German) and played on period instruments of the Classical era, allowing for the deepest possible level of connection with the musical drama.

About Washington Bach Consort

Founded in 1977 by the late Dr. J. Reilly Lewis, the Washington Bach Consort is a professional choral and orchestral ensemble based in Washington, DC, now led by Artistic Director, Dr. Dana Marsh. The Consort is committed to ensuring that current and future audiences experience the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries by:

1) performing the music of Bach and his contemporaries to the highest artistic standards,
2) sharing the joy of Bach's music by broadening audiences in the nation's capital,
3) nurturing the appreciation of Bach’s music through education and community outreach activities, and
4) interpreting the music of Bach for audiences of today, thereby ensuring his legacy.

The Bach Consort is noted for its historically informed performances of 18th-century music on period instruments. As one of the DC area’s most critically acclaimed and nationally recognized performing arts organizations, the Consort has made regular appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Performing Arts, and the Cathedral Choral Society. In addition, the Consort has appeared at numerous festivals and presented three European tours. Recordings include Bach’s complete motets, both J.S. and C.P.E. Bach's Magnificats, the first American recording of the F major and G minor masses, and three solo soprano cantatas with opera luminary Elizabeth Futral. Furthermore, the Consort completed Bach's entire 215-cantata cycle. In association with this monumental achievement, the Library of Congress welcomed the Washington Bach Consort performance recording and concert program archives into its permanent collection.

About Michele Kennedy, soprano

https://www.michele-kennedy.com/

About Thomas Cooley, tenor

https://www.thomascooley.com/

About Edmund Milly, bass

http://www.edmundmilly.com/