A Classic Oratorio in the Sala Iturbi
On 28 May 2027, the Palau de la Música de Valencia will host a performance of The Seasons (Die Jahreszeiten), the last great oratorio by composer Joseph Haydn. Composed between 1799 and 1801, this masterpiece of the Viennese Classical period depicts the cycle of nature and rural life through four movements—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—based on texts by the English poet James Thomson. The score, written for orchestra, choir, and three vocal soloists, combines drama, lyricism, and innovative orchestration for its time.
The performance will be led by the Orquesta de Valencia, conducted by the renowned William Christie, a specialist in Baroque and Classical music with historically informed performance practices. Christie, founder of the ensemble Les Arts Florissants, will be joined by the Coro de Les Arts Florissants, acclaimed for their work in 17th- and 18th-century repertoire. According to the programme, the soloists will be soprano Ana Maria Labin, tenor Kresimir Spicer, and bass Sreten Manojlovic.
Programme and Context
This concert is part of the Abono Sinfónico 42 of the Palau de la Música’s 2026-2027 season, which celebrates its 40th anniversary with a programme focused on major works from the symphonic and vocal repertoire. The Seasons stands out for its narrative structure and its ability to evoke soundscapes, from the awakening of spring to the storms of summer or the melancholy of winter.
If you need information on how to get there, check the Palau de la Música’s venue page.
