‘The First Morning of the World’ in Switzerland
Joyce DiDonato joins the Musikkollegium Winterthur on September 10, 11, and 12 for Rachel Portman’s luminous The First Morning of the World. Originally commissioned for Joyce’s 2022 album, EDEN, the piece sets text by Gene Scheer and explores our individual connection to nature and its impact on our world.
The album and subsequent live performances of The First Morning of the World have garnered rave reviews, inspiring Operawire to say, “Portman’s music with text by Gene Scheer melded with DiDonato’s voice so naturally that it seemed they had worked together in a past life and now come back to celebrate the joy of living and creating.”
Led by conductor Roberto González-Monjas, the orchestra will also perform Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Theme and Variations for Orchestra, op. 42 and Straussiana (for orchestra after Johann Strauss), as well as Francis Poulenc’s Sinfonietta.