Hitchin Thespians Hitchin Thespians Hitchin Thespians Hitchin Thespians

PresentPresentPresentPresent

An oratorio by Joseph HaydnAn oratorio by Joseph HaydnAn oratorio by Joseph HaydnAn oratorio by Joseph Haydn

Accompanied byAccompanied byAccompanied byAccompanied by

The Aurelian OrchestraThe Aurelian OrchestraThe Aurelian OrchestraThe Aurelian Orchestra Conductor Conductor Conductor Conductor

Alan ChildsAlan ChildsAlan ChildsAlan Childs AtAtAtAt

St Mary’s Church, HitchinSt Mary’s Church, HitchinSt Mary’s Church, HitchinSt Mary’s Church, Hitchin By kind permission of the Vicar and ChurcBy kind permission of the Vicar and ChurcBy kind permission of the Vicar and ChurcBy kind permission of the Vicar and Church Wardensh Wardensh Wardensh Wardens

OnOnOnOn

Saturday 21Saturday 21Saturday 21Saturday 21stststst April 2007 April 2007 April 2007 April 2007

From the ChairmanFrom the ChairmanFrom the ChairmanFrom the Chairman

When the committee first discussed performing Haydn's Creation I

have to admit that it was a work with which I was not familiar.

However, I was struck by the enthusiasm shown by those that knew

the piece well.

Over the last few months of rehearsals I have come to know this

glorious piece of music and I am looking forward to singing again in

the beautiful surroundings of St Mary's Church. I am delighted that

we are performing this work with our friends the Aurelian Ensemble

after last year's very successful collaboration for the Vivaldi Gloria

and Rutter Requiem.

Our Society has played a dynamic role in the local community for

over 100 years. In recent years, however, it has become more

difficult to attract audiences to some of our events...there are so

many competing leisure interests and opportunities these days.

Therefore, I would like to thank you for supporting Hitchin

Thespians, and, if this is your first Thespian event, I would like to

extend a warm welcome to you and hope that you might attend

many more of our shows and concerts in the future.

The CreationThe CreationThe CreationThe Creation

Conductor Conductor Conductor Conductor –––– ALAN CHILDS ALAN CHILDS ALAN CHILDS ALAN CHILDS

Alan trained at the Royal Academy of Music, London where he gained the

GRSM(Hons) degree, the LRAM and ARCO diplomas. He was also the recipient of

the C H Trevor Prize and Frederick Keene Prize for Organ and the Peter Latham

Prize for Musicology.

As an organist, Alan has held various posts, including that of Cathedral and City

Organist in Perth, Scotland and is currently Director of Music here at St Mary’s

Parish Church, Hitchin.

Alan spent many years as a Preparatory school Director of Music but is at present

pursuing a variety of musical activities such as instrumental teaching, choir

direction and examining both at home and abroad for the Associated Board of the

Royal Schools of Music.

Bass Bass Bass Bass ---- DEREK WELTON DEREK WELTON DEREK WELTON DEREK WELTON

Derek Welton is 24 years old and is a graduate of the University of Melbourne.

Operatic roles Derek has performed include Mozart’s Count Almaviva, Masetto,

Guglielmo and Papageno, all in Melbourne, and the title role of Salieri’s Falstaff (Dunedin, New Zealand). Derek relocated to London in August 2006 to commence

postgraduate study at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, to which he won a full

scholarship in the final of the 2005 Australian Singing Competition (Sydney).

Derek’s concert repertoire includes performances as soloist in diverse repertoire

ranging from Charpentier to Tavener and including Bach’s Christmas Oratorio,

Magnificat, St John Passion and St Matthew Passion, Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem, Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, Händel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Creation

and Nelson Mass, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Rossini’s

Stabat Mater.

Derek gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Guildhall School Trust

and The Sheila White Award as well as the forthcoming support of the Tillett

Trust and the Marten Bequest.

Tenor Tenor Tenor Tenor –––– NIEL JOUBERT NIEL JOUBERT NIEL JOUBERT NIEL JOUBERT

Born in South Africa, Niel developed a significant interest in singing after

attending the well-known Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School. He currently studies

at the Royal Academy of Music and is supported by the Ernest Oppenheimer

Memorial Trust.

Niel has appeared extensively as oratorio soloist. His performances

include works by Handel, Bach, Mozart, Orff, Schubert, Saint-Saëns and of course

Haydn’s Creation. He has appeared twice with the City of London Chamber

Players and performed at the London Handel Festival in the St. John Passion under Laurence Cummings.

Niel’s operatic roles for the RAM Opera Scenes have included Don Ottavio,

Pelléas, Ormindo (L’Ormindo) and Nerone. Concert appearances include

performances at the Houses of Parliament, the Kenwood Festival, Peterborough

Cathedral, Neresheim Cathedral in Germany, the Duomo Montepulciano in

Tuscany and the Baugé Opera Festival in France.

Niel performs with the BBC Singers on a regular basis

Soprano Soprano Soprano Soprano –––– SANDRA PAGE SANDRA PAGE SANDRA PAGE SANDRA PAGE

Born in Dublin, Sandra studied singing at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

While studying there she took part in many festivals and competitions winning the

Soprano Gold Medal at the Feis Ceoil.

Sandra then went on to study with Rita Streich in Vienna for four years, facilitated

by the Austro-Irish exchange scholarship scheme. After this she moved to

England where she has continued to sing semi-professionally.

Her oratorio repertoire includes Messiah, Elijah and the Christmas Oratorio and

Requiems by Mozart, Fauré and Rutter. She has also taken the soprano role in

Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Operatic roles include Cherubino in Marriage of Figaro, Pamina in the Magic Flute, and both the Countess and Adele in Die Fledermaus.

Alto Alto Alto Alto –––– LILIAN DIXON will join the other soloists for the final chorus LILIAN DIXON will join the other soloists for the final chorus LILIAN DIXON will join the other soloists for the final chorus LILIAN DIXON will join the other soloists for the final chorus

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 –––– 1809) 1809) 1809) 1809)

The Creation was the result of Haydn being overwhelmed upon hearing a

Handel oratorio performed by a large choir and orchestra when he

attended one of the great Handel festivals held In Westminster Abbey in

1791. Haydn resolved to write an oratorio that would be worthy of

Handel’s mastery in this field.

The libretto for The Creation is based on quotes taken from the Bible and

from John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost, sections of which were

translated for Haydn to set to music.

The first public performance of The Creation was on 13th March 1799 at

the Burgtheater in Vienna with one hundred and eighty performers

conducted by the composer himself.

The Creation is very operatic in construction with named characters and

is divided into three acts each made up of different scenes. The work

begins with an orchestral introduction, “Representation of Chaos”,

followed by Parts One and Two which describe the six days of creation.

Each of the six days follows a threefold pattern with an initial biblical

narrative, a descriptive central section and a final hymn of praise. The

soloists represent the archangels: Gabriel (soprano), Uriel (tenor) and

Raphael (bass), with the choir portraying angels glorifying their maker.

Part Three is devoted to Adam and Eve (bass and soprano) who sing of

their happiness together in God’s “new created world” and to end the

oratorio the soloists and choir combine for a final uplifting chorus of

praise.

THE CREATIONTHE CREATIONTHE CREATIONTHE CREATION

Part the FirstPart the FirstPart the FirstPart the First

INTRODUCTION Representation of chaos

RECIT and CHORUS In the beginning

AIR Now vanish before the holy beams

CHORUS Despairing, cursing rage

RECIT And God made the firmament

SOLO and CHORUS The marv’llous work

RECIT And God said, Let the waters

AIR Rolling in foaming billows

RECIT And God said, Let the earth

AIR With verdure clad

RECIT And the heavenly host

CHORUS Awake the harp

RECIT And God said, Let there be lights

RECIT In splendour bright

CHORUS The heavens are telling

Interval 20 MinutesInterval 20 MinutesInterval 20 MinutesInterval 20 Minutes

Part the SecondPart the SecondPart the SecondPart the Second

RECIT And God said, let the waters

AIR On mighty pens

RECIT And God created great whales

RECIT And the Angels

TRIO Most beautiful appear

TRIO and CHORUS The Lord is great

RECIT And God said, Let the earth bring forth

RECIT Straight opening

AIR Now heaven in fullest glory shone

RECIT And God created man

AIR In native worth

RECIT And God saw everything that he had made

CHORUS Achieved is the glorious work

TRIO On thee each living soul awaits

SECOND CHORUS Achieved is the glorious work

There will be a short break at this pointThere will be a short break at this pointThere will be a short break at this pointThere will be a short break at this point

Part the ThirdPart the ThirdPart the ThirdPart the Third

INTRODUCTION and RECIT In rosy mantle appears

DUET and CHORUS By thee with bliss

DUET and CHORUS Of stars the fairest

RECIT Our duty we have now performed

DUET Graceful consort

RECIT O happy pair

CHORUS Sing the Lord, ye voices all

The AThe AThe AThe Aurelian Orchestra, urelian Orchestra, urelian Orchestra, urelian Orchestra, now in its fourth decade, is happy to join with Hitchin

Thespians for a second time. Over the last thirty years this ever-popular

orchestra has performed to widespread critical acclaim, a vast repertoire

including many world premiers. The Aurelian Music Ensembles can be heard in

venues throughout London and the Home Counties playing varied and interesting

programmes which include both perennial favourites and new commissions.

InstrumentInstrumentInstrumentInstrument PlayerPlayerPlayerPlayer Sponsored BySponsored BySponsored BySponsored By

1st Violin (Leader) MicMicMicMichael Grayhael Grayhael Grayhael Gray Ann Crook

1st Violin Bradley Winand Evans-Pughe Strings

1st Violin Anna Szabo Rehearsal Raffles

1st Violin Christine Dalton An anonymous donation

2nd Violin Izzy Giles Phillip & Susan Osbourn

2nd Violin Paul Samuels A generous Patron

2nd Violin Julia Atkinson A generous Patron

2nd Violin Rachel Eyres A generous Patron

Viola Janet Hicks Sandra Page & John Keogh

Viola Jane Miller Janise Frith

Viola Sarah Turner Melanie Plowman

Cello Paul Lockyer Margaret Richmond

Cello Peter Vel Helen & Colm Hodge

Double Bass Mary Spiers Andrew Carmichael

InstrumentInstrumentInstrumentInstrument PlayerPlayerPlayerPlayer Sponsored BySponsored BySponsored BySponsored By

Flute Ann Miller Procam Agriculture Ltd

Flute Jennie Small Jack Lardent

Flute Liz Lee A generous Patron

Oboe Tim Eaton Kate Roberts & Lilian Dixon

Oboe Rosalind

Frayling-Cork

In memory of Dorothy Brooks

Clarinet Val Cheesman Lucy Miller-White Optometrists

Clarinet Karina Kempton A generous Patron

Bassoon Sue Eversden Vivienne & Philippa Tadman

Bassoon Tom Symonds Lucy Miller-White &

Your Choice Cakes

Contra Bassoon Kay Warner Sheila Soothill

French Horn Nigel Hiscock Carols at the Craig

French Horn Stuart Carruthers Rehearsal Raffles &

Donations for Music

Trumpet Giles Liddiard John Beal & Andrew Carmichael

Trumpet Simon

Sturgeon-Clegg

The Phoenix Music Hall

Company

Trombone Robb Tooley GSK

Trombone Richard Watkin GSK

Trombone Mark Hampson GSK & Brenda Cundell

Timpani Matthew West Alex & Tom Evans

Keyboard Alan Childs

Hitchin Thespians would like to thank Miss Margaret Richmond for her

invaluable support and Patronage of their choral events.

This concert has been financially supported by The Arts Council for North

Hertfordshire.

Members of the ChoirMembers of the ChoirMembers of the ChoirMembers of the Choir

Sopranos:Sopranos:Sopranos:Sopranos: - Jean Austin, Margaret Brendish, Maureen Briddon,

Su Cassidy, Gill Cheaney, Joanna Chugg, Margaret Coxall,

Ann Crook, Sheila Davies, Christine Fox, Michelle Marple,

Lucy Miller-White, Susan Osbourn, Ann Peacock, Doreen Pettitt, Melanie

Plowman, Kate Roberts, Sheila Soothill, Jane Tunesi, Lindsey Waghorn,

Ellen Ward, Roz Ward, Jenny Wilson

Altos:Altos:Altos:Altos: - Elise Carr, Gillian Clough, Lilian Dixon, Hazel Frost, Kathleen

Gillan, Pauline Gimson, Helen Hodge, Antonia Homer,

Sheila Mole, Alison Nicholas, Keryle Rutherford, Viv Tadman, Barbara

Thomas, Kay Watts, Annette Woodbridge

Tenors:Tenors:Tenors:Tenors: - Fred Ardron, Andrew Carmichael, Alan Dickinson,

Tom Evans, Andy Johnson, Howard Roberts, Iain Rutherford,

Peter Wall

Basses:Basses:Basses:Basses: - John Beal, Gilbert Cobb, Ray Gorbing, Bob Harris,

Jack Lardent, Nick Morgan, Mike O’Leary, Mike Steele,

Bryan Summers, Chris Waghorn

AcknowledgementAcknowledgementAcknowledgementAcknowledgementssss

Choral Manager: Susan Osbourn

Concert Manager: Andy Johnson

Box Office Managers: Nick & Nicky Morgan

Front of House Manager: Audrey Jenkins

Publicity Manager: Sandra Page

Programme Editors: Sandra Page and Susan Osbourn

Lighting: Alan Bailes and team

Rehearsal Pianist: Audrey Jenkins

The Phoenix

Music Hall Company

Bespoke Old Time Music Hall & Variety for all occasions

Fundraising? Perhaps we can help.

For Bookings please telephone: 01462 892062.

The Phoenix Music Hall Company wishes

Hitchin Thespians every success for ‘The Creation’.

WHAT’S ON IN 2007WHAT’S ON IN 2007WHAT’S ON IN 2007WHAT’S ON IN 2007

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Saturday 30th June 2007

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Monday 6th August 2007

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Gordon Craig Theatre

16th – 20th October 2007

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Thursday to Saturday 6th 7th and 8th December 2007

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HITCHIN THESPIANS is a Registered Charity, Number 1005332