Wednesday 16th of November 2016 saw a performance of 'The Creation’ by Joseph Haydn at the ancient and magnificent Middle Temple Hall in London. Greg Morris directed the Temple Players and the Bar Choral Society through this miraculous work with great energy.

The Bar Choral Society’s Autumn Concert featured soprano Amy Haworth, tenor Andrew Tortise and bass DeAndre Simmons - the latter joining us from New York.

Joseph Crouch admirably accompanied the recitatives from the cello, double-stopping and spreading chords to provide harmonic support to the singers and continuity to the performance.

According to the programme notes, 'The Creation' was originally inspired by Handel’s ‘Messiah' and 'Israel in Egypt' - both of which Haydn had heard while visiting England.

The concert was promoted by the Bar Choral Society and was in aid of The National Brain Appeal and The Motor Neurone Disease Association. Both exceptionally worthy causes.

The concert was very well attended and the smart ensemble, wearing tails and long black was photographed by leading photographer Chris Christodoulou and was also audio-recorded for the archive. The rehearsal had seen an appearance from composer John Rutter, who is the choir's patron. He came to listen to the rehearsal as he was otherwise engaged during the evening concert. He addressed the ensemble and said that 'The Creation' has always been a special piece to him and he urged the choir to enjoy it, and clearly they did.