A Musical Beginning: Sheffield Chamber Orchestra and Steel City Choristers to Bring Haydn’s The Creation to Sheffield

SHEFFIELD – On Saturday, 13 June 2026, Sheffield’s historic Victoria Hall will resonate with the sounds of one of classical music’s most magnificent masterpieces. In an ambitious and exciting collaboration, Sheffield Chamber Orchestra will join forces with Steel City Choristers and three outstanding soloists from Opera North to perform Joseph Haydn’s glorious oratorio, The Creation, under the baton of John Lyon.

This landmark performance brings together 70 local and national musicians to tell the vivid story of the world’s beginning, as depicted in the Book of Genesis and Milton’s Paradise Lost.

The choice of Haydn’s The Creation is particularly poignant. Denis McCaldin, Director of the Haydn Society of Great Britain, explains that the composer was inspired to write this oratorio after hearing the massive Handel festivals in London. “It is Haydn at his greatest,” McCaldin notes, “combining his rich experience as a symphonist and opera composer with his admiration for the English choral tradition.” The work is famous for its “Representation of Chaos”—a jagged, modern-sounding opening that suddenly gives way to a blindingly simple C major chord on the words: “And there was LIGHT.”

A centrepiece of this collaboration is the involvement of Steel City Choristers, an independent choir that brings children and adults together to sing to the highest musical standards in the Cathedral tradition. Director of Music Eleanor Jarvis is passionate about the educational impact of such a large-scale project. “Seeing the sense of achievement the children feel as they master something they initially found challenging is incredibly fulfilling,” Jarvis says. She highlights the joyful energy the choir brings to the work, particularly in favourites like “The Heavens are Telling.”

The production is anchored by three exceptional soloists from Opera North, each bringing a unique perspective to their roles:

• Claire Lees (Soprano): Representing the archangel Gabriel and later Eve, Lees’ role requires “limpid charm” and vocal finesse, particularly in the famous aria “With Verdure Clad,” which celebrates the beauty of the natural world.
• Tom Smith (Tenor): Making his debut in this work as the archangel Uriel, Smith describes the oratorio as a journey of discovery. “Even now, there’s something quite moving about that idea of looking at the world with fresh eyes,” he says, noting the balance between “grand scale and intimate storytelling.”
• Andrew Randall (Bass): Playing the roles of Raphael and Adam, Randall is looking forward to the “playful writing” in the bass solos. “Haydn brings different animals to life—we’re treated to a parade of creatures, each with their own personality,” he explains. “It’s vivid, playful writing, and as a performer, you can really lean into that.”

As a charitable organization dedicated to bringing high-quality classical music to the heart of the city, Sheffield Chamber Orchestra is currently seeking a Programme Sponsor for this prestigious event. This is a unique opportunity for a local business to align itself with a high-profile community collaboration and support the arts in the city. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the orchestra via their website.

The performance promises to be a highlight of Sheffield’s 2026 cultural calendar, offering a rare chance to hear this symphonic and choral “feast” in the stunning acoustics of Victoria Hall.

• Date: Saturday, 13 June 2026
• Time: 2:00 PM
• Venue: Victoria Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield
• Tickets: £12 (Full) when purchased in advance / £6 (Under 18s).
• Booking: Available online at www.scorchestra.uk.

Don’t miss this spectacular depiction of the birth of the world—a performance full of “colour, drama, and humanity.”