In a fortnight the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and Merton College Choir perform Haydn’s Creation in the Sheldonian Theatre, the building in which Haydn received an honorary doctorate in 1791.

The OPO says, “In 1791, Joseph Haydn was overwhelmed by a performance of Handel’s Messiah in London. As he prepared to return home, Haydn was slipped a libretto on the subject of the creation of the universe originally conceived for Handel. When The Creation was first performed seven years later, Haydn was overcome yet again – this time by his own achievements. In representing chaos and the creation of light, the oratorio’s elemental inspiration transcends the boundaries of its era.”

The performance will be conducted by the orchestra’s music director Marios Papadopoulos.