Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The combined choirs and orchestra at Stephen F. Austin State University will present Joseph Haydn's choral masterwork, "The Creation," at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 7, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ campus.
"Even though Haydn is noted as the 'father of the modern symphony and string quartet,' the composer considered 'The Creation' to be his greatest work," said Tim King, director of choral activities at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ. "We are delighted to be presenting it to East Texas."
Written between 1796 and 1798, the oratorio expresses the Austrian composer's vision of the creation, as told in the Book of Genesis and in John Milton's "Paradise Lost."
The first part of the masterwork is devoted to the elements of creation; the second to animals and man; and the third to an earthly paradise, the Garden of Eden.
The soloists in the first two parts personify the archangels Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael, sung respectively by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ faculty members Debbie Berry (soprano), Richard Berry (tenor) and Scott LaGraff (baritone).
Livingston junior Casey Jones Parrish (baritone) and Longview graduate student Tiffanny Hamilton (soprano) will personify Adam and Eve in the third part.
The performance is a joint presentation of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ College of Fine Arts and School of Music. W.M. Turner Auditorium is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Dr.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.