Newsroom

CORVALLIS - The combined Oregon State University choirs and soloists will join the Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra in presenting Haydn's choral masterpiece, "The Creation," on Sunday, March 9 at OSU.

This performance of Hayden's oratorio, conducted by Steven Zielke, director of OSU choirs, begins at 3 p.m. in LaSells Stewart Center, 26th St. and Western Blvd. "The Creation" is a choral masterwork based on excerpts from the King James Bible and John Milton's "Paradise Lost." It is also among the most popular oratorios of all time, celebrating the glories of nature, man's innocent joy, and his gratitude to God for creating simple things for his pleasure and benefit. The work combines the traditions of a Handel oratorio and the Viennese mass with Haydn's own symphonic style.

Soloists take the roles of archangels and Adam and Eve, with Janet Hackett, soprano, as Gabriel and Eve. David Howell, tenor, is Uriel; and Erik Hundtoft, baritone, is Raphael and Adam. Megan Sand, mezzo-soprano, joins the soloists in a quartet in the final chorus.

Hackett has performed in Handel's "Messiah" and Mendelssohn's "Elijah" with the Bravo! Vancouver chorus and orchestra; "The Pearl Fishers" with Portland Opera Chorus; Verdi's "Requiem" with the Portland Opera Chorus and the Oregon Symphony; and numerous solo and ensemble appearances in the Chicago area. She is on the OSU voice faculty.

Howell has performed with opera companies in Santa Fe, Milwaukee, Tulsa, San Francisco, Chicago, Virginia and Eugene. Corvallis audiences will remember him for his leading roles in Opera Theater Corvallis productions of "Rigoletto" and "Die Fledermaus."

Hundtoft is a graduate of OSU. His work with Opera Theatre Corvallis includes Sid in "Albert Herring," Malatesta in "Don Pasquale," Betto and Gianni Schicci in "Gianni Schicci," Father in "Hansel and Gretel," and The Jailer in "Die Fledermaus." This May he will play the title role in the Portland State University production of "Don Giovanni."

Sand has performed in Opera Theater Corvallis/OSU Opera Workshop productions of "Albert Herring" and "The Fowl Opera Trilogy." She received first place at the 2002 National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions in the College II division.

Zielke, OSU director of choral studies, directs the OSU Chamber Choir and the OSU Meistersingers. He is also the founder and music director of the Corvallis Repertory Singers, a semi-professional ensemble devoted to exemplary performances of the finest in choral literature.

High school and college students are admitted free with ID and younger students are free with an adult. Adult tickets at $19 will be available at the OSU Department of Music, Scandinavian Trading Company, Emporium Department Store, Creative Crafts and Frame Shop, Grass Roots Bookstore, and Gracewinds Music in Corvallis, and at Sid Stevens Jewelers in Albany. Tickets will be $22 at the box office on the day of the concert. For more information, call 541-737-4061.