HAYDN’S 'The Creation' at Melbourne Town Hall 2025

Haydn’s glorious late oratorio The Creation is considered by many to be his greatest masterpiece, and one of the finest examples of a classical oratorio ever composed.

Haydn was inspired to create The Creation following his travels to England, where he heard the great oratorios of Handel still being performed, but with massive forces. Haydn is quoted as saying that, once in the flow, he begged God to let him be able to finish the work – clearly knowing he was onto something special. The Creation would go on to become one of the most successful choral works in Western musical history.

At one particular performance, just a year before he died, Haydn had to be carried into the hall on a chair to hear his music. As the audience reacted and cooed at various sublime sections of his oratorio, Haydn was forced to take the spontaneous applause. He is said to have pointed to the sky, smiled and said, ‘It’s not from me: everything comes from up there!’

RMP Chief Conductor Andrew Wailes will lead an all-star cast of outstanding soloists - Australian/American soprano Rachelle Durkin (Metropolitan Opera/ Opera Australia / Pinchgut Opera), Japanese/ Australian mezzo-soprano Syrah Torii (Victorian Opera), tenor Michael Petruccelli (Oper Frankfurt / Opera Australia/ Pinchgut Opera), and bass-baritone Christopher Richardson  (Opera Australia / ACO/ Pinchgut Opera), along with the large choral and orchestral forces that Haydn envisaged for this great work. A spectacular choir comprising both the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Melbourne University Choral Society will be joined by over 50 players from the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra in the grand setting of the Melbourne Town Hall.

A concert not to be missed by all lovers of this great work.

Andrew Wailes conductor
Rachelle Durkin soprano
Syrah Torii mezzo-soprano
Michael Petruccelli tenor
Christopher Richardson bass-baritone
Peter de Jager fortepiano

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir
Melbourne University Choral Society
Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra

Melbourne Town Hall
Corner Swanston and Collins Streets
Melbourne, Victoria 3000

For general enquiries please contact tickets@rmp.org.au. 

For media enquiries please contact musicdirector@rmp.org.au or call 0433 661 971

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