In the beginning, deep, murky notes burble in primordial slime. Discord dissolves into a blaze of sound. The word "light" explodes, and you're off on a journey of wide-eyed wonder in Haydn's "The Creation," a colorful oratorio celebrating the making of the world described by John Milton and biblical writers. It's a witty, profound labor of love knit together by sun-filled musical passages. Franz Joseph Haydn worked on the masterpiece for several years, and after its premiere in 1798, he collapsed with exhaustion. Someone who heard the first performance wrote a letter to the editor of a Vienna newspaper: "Already three days have passed since that happy evening, and it still sounds in my ears and heart, and my breast is constricted by many emotions even thinking of it." Christopher Seaman conducts the Eastman-Rochester Chorus and soprano Barbara Shirvis, tenor Michael Colvin, and baritone Stephen Powell. This will be one of the highlights of the RPO season.

RPO Philharmonics: Haydn's Creation

Thursday & Saturday, March 19 & 21

Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St.

8 p.m. | $15 | 454-2100