Gloria Musicae performs Haydn's 'Creation' in Sarasota

Joseph Haydn is best known for his chamber music and symphonies, but he also produced some glorious vocal works, including the oratorio "The Creation."

Gloria Musicae, the 21-voice professional vocal ensemble based in Sarasota, will perform "The Creation" Sunday afternoon at the Church of the Palms.

The ensemble will be joined by the Sarasota Orchestra and the 80-voice State College of Florida Concert Choir.

"The Creation" draws its text from the Bible ("Genesis" and "Psalms," to be specific) and from John Milton's "Paradise Lost." It's written for soprano, bass and tenor soloists who portray the archangels Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael, and, in the last of its three parts, Adam and Eve.

The soloists for this weekend's performance are tenor Matthew Smith, soprano Danielle Talamantes and bass Joseph Wilkerson.

And in case more than 100 voices singing with a world-class orchestra in a classic oratorio by one the greatest composers who ever lived isn't enough to draw you in, the performance is accompanied by nature photographs provided by the Science and Environmental Council of Southwest Florida

Details: 3 p.m. Feb. 28, Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door, students $5 at the door. Information: 941-387-6046, gloriamusicae.org.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 4:56 PM with the headline "Gloria Musicae performs Haydn's 'Creation' in Sarasota ."