Celebrating its 200th anniversary, Ipswich Choral Society performs Haydn’s masterpiece ‘The Creation’ at Snape Maltings Concert Hall on 20th April, joined by the Britten Sinfonia and soprano Anna Dennis. Ipswich Choral Society also welcomes back Halifax Choral Society, making the performance a truly momentous occasion featuring Britain’s two oldest choral societies.
‘The Creation’ was the first major work performed by Ipswich Choral Society in 1825, 16 years after Haydn’s death. Incredibly, original hand-written scores from 1824 used by the new society were discovered in January 2012, now archived at The Hold in Ipswich. Completed in 1798, ‘The Creation’ would have been quite contemporary at the time. The premiere using the English text as held at Covent Garden, London in 1800.
For this 200th anniversary concert, Ipswich Choral Society is delighted to be performing again at Snape Maltings with Halifax Choral Society. The two societies last performed together back in 2017, when Halifax Choral Society celebrated their 200th anniversary. Living proof that the 19th Century pastime of joining a choral society is still as enjoyable in the 21st Century!
Ipswich Choral Society are thrilled that Britten Sinfonia will be joining them for this special occasion. Britten Sinfonia has a national and international reputation as one of today’s finest ensembles. Renowned for its adventurous programming and high-quality performances, Britten Sinfonia also brings high-quality music-making to schoolchildren, hospital patients and communities across the East of England.
Also performing are soloists Anna Dennis, Ryan Vaughan Davies and Dan D’Souza. Anna Dennis won the Royal Philharmonic Society Singer Award in 2023 and has performed at the English National Opera, La Scala in Milan and the Sydney Opera House, among others. Welsh tenor Ryan Vaughan Davies is a Jette Parker Artist at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Dan D’Souza is an Irish-British baritone and performed at venues including the English National Opera, the Paris Philharmonie, the Berlin Philharmonie and La Scala.
Photo: Ipswich Choral Society and Halifax Choral Society performance of Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’ at Snape Maltings Concert Hall, April 2017. Credit Peter Smith.
