Magnificent work delivered with joy by singers in perfect setting

Benson Choral Society summer concert — Haydn’s The Creation
Dorchester Abbey
Saturday, June 15

DORCHESTER Abbey was the perfect setting for Benson Choral Society’s summer concert, Haydn’s The Creation.

The choir performed with West Forest Sinfonia, an experienced local orchestra. Under the excellent guidance of guest conductor Richard Laing, their contribution to the performance was carefully nuanced for chorus and soloists.

The singers and musicians were joined by three excellent soloists who took the parts of the three angels who tell the creation story.

Gabriel was sung by Katie Trethewey (soprano), Uriel by Nathan Vale (tenor), and Raphael by James Oldfield (baritone).

In the third part, the angels doubled as Adam and Eve: Trethewey sang Eve and Oldfield was Adam. The whole ensemble was masterly conducted by Richard Laing who, among several impressive posts, is principal guest conductor of Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra. With this line-up, the audience was in for a treat.

The three-part oratorio starts with the orchestra depicting the tumult that preceded the beginning of the world, “Representation of chaos”. This glorious mystical music leads to Raphael’s recitative “In the beginning God created the world” and the story starts.

Then follows one of the most memorable sections of the oratorio and neither chorus nor orchestra disappointed. An explosion of sound, “Let there be light”, was delivered with appropriate dramatic effect and it was as if this exultation filled the abbey with light and colour.

Yet throughout the depiction of chaos, exultation and the exuberance of “A new created world”, the conductor ensured a controlled delivery from an alert chorus and orchestra. This was a terrific start to the performance. Gabriel sings of the creation of the foaming billows, the waters beneath Heaven. He has a rich voice conveying gravitas, light and darkness. The clear beautiful soprano voice sings of the beauty of the fields and the flowers, providing an excellent foil.

Trethewey’s stunning silvery voice suited the abbey’s acoustics, and her notes rang with great clarity as she described and reflected on the new creation. Her lightness of delivery danced with light and grace.

The first part concluded with “The Heavens are telling”, a glorious celebration of the beauties of the world. This is another highlight for choral singers although in contrast to the soprano’s light touch, this was slightly slow to get going but importantly conveyed joyful celebration.

Part two covers the creation of birds, sung by Gabriel, then animals, starting with Raphael (baritone) listing great whales, fish and all manner of creatures including bleating sheep, not to mention a worm (both of which provoked laughter from the audience) and a snake. (No spoiler alert here to mar the happiness.)

However, the creation is not yet complete. Uriel sings of the creation of a man and “a woman fair” and the three soloists sing of the awakening of Adam and Eve’s souls.

The second half ends with another well-loved chorus, “Achieved is the glorious work”, with the choir’s sopranos cheerfully delivering the top notes with admirable clarity.

The story of Adam and Eve is told in the third part, which opens with a tenor recitative sung tenderly by Vale describing dawn in the Garden of Eden: “In rosy mantle appears”.

Adam and Eve celebrate the glories of the earth, extol God’s bountiful creation and declare their love for each other in some of the most beautiful duets of this piece. The oratorio ended with soloists and choir singing “Sing the Lord ye voices all”.

A very appreciative audience applauded loudly and enthusiastically. This is a magnificent work, delivered with joy.

As one singer said as she was leaving the church, “It just makes me so happy to sing this”’. Well done singers, musicians and conductor.

Susan Edwards