The Creation
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment traces a cosmic journey from the dark depths of the universe to gorgeous dawn in the Garden of Eden.
For Haydn, The Creation represented the pinnacle of his career. A monumental work that simultaneously articulates his profound faith in God and his peerless craftsmanship.
From the startling moment in which light is created, through playful word-painting, to the romantic glow as the soloists transform from Archangels to the first humans, in The Creation we see Haydn finessing the full range of his artistry and ingenuity.
The OAE welcomes back Václav Luks following his critically acclaimed debut with them in Bach’s Mass in B Minor in 2023 along with the outstanding tenor, and former Rising Star of the Enlightenment, Nick Pritchard. They are joined by soprano Samantha Clarke.
Performers
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Václav Luks conductor
Robin Johannsen soprano, *
Nick Pritchard tenor
Krešimir Stražanac bass
Choir of the Age of Enlightenment
Repertoire
Haydn: The Creation (performed in German, with surtitles)
Need to know
* Please note change of performer from originally advertised.
You can buy an exclusive box package for this event. More details of our Royal Festival Hall exclusive box package.
Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall at 6pm: pre-concert talk with Václav Luks in conversation with Rachel Stroud. Admission free by concert ticket.
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.