Robert Geary leads the San Francisco Choral Society in the world premiere of Stacy Garrop's Creation of the World on Nov. 15 and 16, in Calvary Presbyterian Church, on a program also offering Ralph Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem.
The Choral Society will be accompanied by the California Chamber Symphony. Soloists include soprano Jennifer Paulino, mezzo Betany Coffland, tenor Brian Thorsett, and bass-baritone Nikolas Nackley. The Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir also participates.
Garrop's Creation of the World is part of Terra Nostra, a three-movement piece commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Society in collaboration with the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir. The second movement, The Rise of Humanity, will be performed in the spring of 2015, and the final movement, Searching for Balance, next fall, together with the first two movements. Description of the work:
Terra Nostra focuses on the relationship between our planet and mankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. Part I explores various creation myths from different cultures, culminating in a joyous celebration of the beauty of our planet. Part II concentrates on the growing human civilization, celebrating man’s various achievements while also noting the issues and strains humanity is putting on the planet. Part III questions how we can create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources.