Creation by Osvaldo Golijov
Creation by Argentine-American composer Osvaldo Golijov is a Boston Symphony Orchestra world premiere inspired by Joseph Haydn’s oratorio The Creation. Combining symphonic, operatic, popular, and traditional musical influences from around the world, the work considers the vastness and apparent indifference of the cosmos alongside humanity’s capacity for cruelty, tenderness, and creative discovery.
Developed from a concept by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, with lyrics by Leah Hager Cohen, the piece is presented as a work of both questioning and celebration. Its scale recalls Golijov’s Bach-inspired La Pasión según San Marcos, which received its American premiere at Symphony Hall. The production includes live performance, children’s and adult choruses, original artwork and animation, and projection design.
When: November 12–14.
Showtimes: Thursday, November 12, at 7:30pm; Friday, November 13, at 7:30pm; and Saturday, November 14, at 8:00pm.
Pre-concert Conversation: On Saturday, November 14, at 6:30pm in the Cabot-Cahners Room, Osvaldo Golijov joins physicist, novelist, and essayist Alan Lightman for a conversation about music, science, and wonder. The talk is limited to patrons holding tickets for the 8:00pm performance, and a separate RSVP is required because space is limited. Ticket holders receive an email invitation with RSVP instructions. Questions may be directed to BSO Customer Service at 617-266-1200.
Tickets: Individual ticket pricing is not available. The page lists subscription packages associated with these performances, including Thursday-C at $235–$813, Friday Evening at $129–$428, Saturday-25 at $1,070–$3,864, Saturday-E at $262–$948, and Saturday-B at $514–$1,858. Subscription packages include ticket discounts and other benefits, and the Choose Your Own Series requires a minimum of three performances.
Venue: Symphony Hall.
Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Conductor: Eric Jacobsen.
Vocalists: Cécile McLorin Salvant, vocalist, and Davóne Tines, bass-baritone.
Featured Musicians: Cyro Baptista on percussion and Kayhan Kalhor on kamancheh.
Choruses: Tanglewood Festival Chorus, conducted by Jean-Sébastien Vallée, who is also the BSO’s director of choruses; and the BSO x NEC Honors Children’s Choir, directed by Michele Adams.
Creative Team: Alex Sopp provides the original artwork and animation, and Camilla Tassi is the projection designer.
Creators: The music is by Osvaldo Golijov, the book is by David Henry Hwang, and the lyrics are by Leah Hager Cohen.
Premiere: This is a world premiere and a co-commission from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, under Music Director Andris Nelsons, supported by Catherine and Paul Buttenwieser, and the Edinburgh International Festival.
Support: The week’s Tanglewood Festival Chorus performances are supported by the Alan J. and Suzanne W. Dworsky Fund for Voice and Chorus.
Run time: Not specified.
Ages: Not specified.