Program: Haydn - The Creation

Performers:

• Aurora Marthens, soprano

• Tuomas Miettola, tenor

• Matti Turunen, bass

• EMO Ensemble

• Chamber Choir Audite

• Tapiola Sinfonietta

• Kaapo Ijas, conductor

Galaxies explode, primordial dust condenses, light fills the dark universe, tumbling waters, and bouncing, running, and crawling organisms emerge. Tectonic plates shift, the sky falls into place. Humanity looks around, admires the new, beautiful world, and sings of love.

The oratorio diving into Haydn's Creation story truly encompasses the entire world – its history, present, and future. Even today, in 2026, it touches, moves, and dazzles with its massive proportions, brilliant colors, and sparkling joy of music-making – for believers and non-believers alike.

Haydn was a devout Catholic, but also, in the spirit of the Enlightenment, deeply interested in science and especially astronomy. At the time the work was created, the biblical worldview and science were not seen to be in conflict: fossils were considered remnants of the Great Flood, and the order of the universe naturally harmonized with the story of creation.

It is impossible to listen to The Creation without smiling. It reminds us of how wonderful this earth and its nature are – and how grateful we should be for it. This thought feels even more relevant today in a world where human activity disrupts nature's delicate balance. However, Haydn does not declare his message through gloom, but with endless joy and optimism. As he himself said: "God has given me a cheerful heart – and will hopefully forgive me if I serve him cheerfully."

In collaboration with: Tapiola Sinfonietta & VocalEspoo

Duration

Approx. 1 h 45 min, no intermission.

Tickets

40 / 35 / 20 € + order fees (from 1.50 € + 0.65% of the order via www.lippu.fi)