Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
Symphony No. 49 ‘La passione’

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Oratorio ‘Christus am Ölberge’, op.85

Eleanor Lyons soprano – Seraph
Sebastian Kohlhepp tenor – Jesus
Thomas E. Bauer bass – Petrus
Collegium Vocale Gent
Orchestre des Champs-Élysées
Philippe Herreweghe

Beethoven’s only oratorio, Christus am Ölberge, was written in 1803 and, after a number of initial performances at the Theater an der Wien, was performed every year during the passion season until 1825. The work’s popularity was undoubtedly due to the dramatic power of the libretto, in which Christ’s despair and acceptance of his fate during the last night of his life were given a human face. The new narrative perspective and the beautiful music of the young Beethoven give this little-performed work an unprecedented power of discovery, even today. aydn’s infectious symphony No. 49 from 1768, nicknamed ‘La Passione’, is the appropriate prelude to this programme.