THE MAGNIFICENT sounds of Haydn’s choral masterpiece, The Creation, filled Cowes Yacht Haven on Saturday night, with a stunning performance by the IW Cantata Choir.

Hundreds of people filled the huge space at the haven to witness an uplifting display by the choir and orchestra of Hadyn’s first major essay in oratorio form.

The work, which is in three parts, tells the Genesis creation story with the choir representing the heavenly host and the three soloists representing archangels Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael.

Musical director, Rachel Tweddle, masterfully led the choir and orchestra through a flawless two-hour performance, only slightly hampered by the acoustics at the Yacht Haven, which tended to absorb rather than reflect the sound.

Soprano Sarah Redgwick, whose musical credits include a debut as Rosalinda, in Die Fledermaus, with London Lyric Opera, made light of filling the vast space with her superb penetrating voice.

However, baritone Simon Lobelson, did, at times struggle to be heard due to his lower register and the yacht haven’s tendency to muffle the sound.

However, these are minor quibbles. The chorus, made up of IW residents, gave a superb, rousing display, particularly in the climax of the work, with a spine-tingling rendition of Sing the Lord Ye Voices All.

More please.

By David Newble, IW County Press. Friday, April 23, 2010