The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) and 60-member Okanagan Symphony Chorus along with three guest soloists to perform Haydn’s Creation.
Soloists Siobhan Raupach, soprano; Randall Jokobsh, bass both originally from Vernon and tenor Isaiah Bell from Victoria will take to Okanagan Valley stages April 10-12.
Creation is widely regarded as Haydn’s masterpiece. Based on texts from the Book of Genesis and Milton’s Paradise Lost, this score depicts the formless void, the starry firmament and the multitude of creation. In a press release, the OSO says this beautiful, inspiring music will be sung in German with projected English subtitles.
The concert opens in Penticton on Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m. with additional performances in Kelowna Saturday, April 11 at 8 p.m. and Vernon on Sunday, April 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the Penticton and Kelowna concerts are available by phone through Kelowna Tickets at 250-862-2867. Tickets for the Vernon show is available by phone 250-549-7469 or online via www.okanagansymphony.com.
“The Creation has glorious music that alternates between the soloists (representing angels, Adam and Eve), the chorus and always accompanied by the orchestra. Haydn shows his brilliance with word painting, setting particular texts with music that paints a sound picture of that text,” said Rosemary Thomson, OSO’s music director. “My favourite example is when the baritone soloist sings ‘and God created whales.’ At this point, Haydn has all of the low dark instruments, the cellos and basses, the bassoons and the wonderful contrabassoon create the ocean’s depths where you can almost hear the whale song.”
Soloist Isaiah Bell is a composer and has written four operas—including the music and libretti for two operas for young audiences, commissioned by Opera NUOVA—as well as a number of song cycles and arrangements. The New York Times described Bell in the role of the Madwoman in Britten’s Curlew River as “a performance of haunting beauty, ideally depicting emotional distraction with ultimate economy and glowing vocal skill.” The Canadian-American is “a singer to watch, not just for his attractive stage presence, but for his elegant tenor.” (La Scena Musicale).
Soprano Siobhan Raupach is born and raised in Vernon. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music from McGill University in 2013 and is currently pursuing a masters degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Randall Jakobsh, also from Vernon, pursued his vocal studies at the Juilliard School in New York and at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. He has established an international reputation appearing in important engagements with major opera companies in Europe, South America, Canada and the United States. His roles encompass a broad spectrum, from the bass repertoire with Sarastro, Osmin, Fasolt, Fafner Hunding, Philip II, Zaccaria, Gremin and Pimen, to Nick Shadow, Don Giovanni, Figaro and Scarpia in the bass-baritone repertoire.
“In addition to our three amazing soloists the chorus has been rehearsing with me throughout the year and we have all completely fallen in love with this incredible music. If you know singers from any type of choir they would really enjoy this piece,”Thomson said. “As we leap into spring, The Creation is a great way to celebrate Easter, and Earth Day. I do hope that you will join us for this beautiful choral masterpiece.”
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra is the third largest professional Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia; entertaining residents of the Okanagan Valley and visitors from around the globe with symphonic music since 1960. To learn more about the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra visit their website at www.okanagansymphony.com or follow at www.twitter.com/OKSymponyOrch or www.facebook.com/OkanaganSymphonyOrchestra.
