THE charm, liveliness and drama of Haydn’s creation story was splendidly presented by Darlington Choral Society and Darlington Sinfonia.

The orchestral introduction, depicting the world without form and void, was muted and somehow shifting, with the chorus hushed until the breathtaking moment when a massive crescendo from players and singers signals “and there was light”.

Almost immediately, a dance-like chorus of great beauty tells of the new created world that sprang up at God’s command. Dramatic rolls of thunder, rain and hail, light and flaky snow, were all portrayed in the accompaniment and in the recitative, sung with great force by Arthur Berwick as Raphael.

The Angel Gabriel, sung exquisitely by soprano Rachel Orr, and the chorus then expressed joy and praise.

Gabriel describes flowers, plants, fruit and forests in a lovely aria, and after the creation of the seasons and the distinctive music of the sun and the moon, the first part ends with the famous chorus The Heavens are telling the glory of God.

The chorus sang with great power, but also with a sensitivity that was most moving.

Then birds are created, with the sounds of eagle, lark, dove and nightingale all clearly heard in the delicate orchestration and dialogue between the soprano and various instruments. Soloists and chorus joined in a rousing crescendo to sing the glory of the Lord.

Raphael and the orchestra described the numberless creatures, some in vigorous tones, others more gently conveyed, until the vocal line ended at the very bottom of Berwick’s fine bass voice to signal the creeping worm.

Everyone in the audience enjoyed this section hugely.

Tenor Michael Hart-Davis, as Uriel, sang a beautiful aria celebrating man and the woman, with the chorus now as angels singing “the glorious work is achieved”.

The final part describing the bliss of the Garden of Eden in peaceful music served a timely reminder of humankind’s duty to preserve the world from damage and destruction.

The society gave a vivid account of this masterpiece of descriptive music. Richard Bloodworth conducted with evident delight and involved all his musicians at every moment.

The three soloists gave of their considerable best and a large audience responded with a well-deserved ovation to all the performers.