Carleton Singers and Choir present “The Creation”

Join the Carleton Singers and Carleton Community Choir for a spectacular evening of works by renowned Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn (1732–1809), including his masterpiece oratorio The Creation—the crowning achievement of Haydn’s long career. The concert begins at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 22 in the Carleton College Concert Hall, and is free and open to the public.

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The Carleton Choir and Carleton Singers are conducted by professor of music, Lawrence Burnett, and will be accompanied by a professional orchestra of Carleton faculty and regional instrumentalists. Voice instructors Patria Kent (soprano), Benjamin Allen (bass), and Rick Penning (tenor) and two senior students, Caroline Bolster ’15 (soprano) and Patrick Stephen ’15 (bass) are featured soloists.

The Creation depicts the creation of the world as described in the Old Testament’s Book of Genesis and Book of Psalms, as well as John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost. Composed late in Haydn’s career and inspired by Handel’s Messiah and Israel in Europe, the work is considered by many to be Haydn’s masterpiece. Highlights of the oratorio include the popular choruses “The Heavens Are Telling” and “Awake the Harp.”

The May 22 performance also features a selection of Haydn’s part songs, composed for solo voices and keyboard to be sung in homes and intimate venues. Today, choral ensembles often perform these works in concert, with or without piano. For this performance, the Carleton Singers are accompanied by a string quartet.

Conductor Lawrence Burnett, professor of music and choral director, has been an esteemed Carleton faculty member since 1993. Burnett previously taught at the State University of New York at Potsdam, and he has served as a conductor, clinician and adjudicator at many choral festivals and competitions throughout North America. His professional background includes solo and stage work with numerous orchestras, choruses, and festivals throughout the country.

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The 25-piece orchestra for this performance includes instrumentalists who frequently perform with professional organizations in the Twin Cities, including the Minnesota Opera Orchestra. Their number includes Carleton alumna Nanette Scott Goldman ’78 (violin), professor Ron Rodman (bass trombone), and six applied music instructors: Lynn Deichert (trumpet), Elizabeth Ericksen (violin and concertmaster), Martha Jamsa (flute), Jay Johnson (timpani), Merilee Klemp (oboe), and Constance Martin (double bass).

For more information about this event, including disability accommodations, contact the Carleton College Department of Music at (507) 222-4350. The Concert Hall is located on the Carleton College campus in Northfield, Minnesota, on First Street and between Nevada and Winona Streets.