The Origin

The Origin is an opera/oratorio composed by Richard Einhorn to a libretto by Richard Einhorn and Catherine Barnett based on the writings of Charles Darwin. The oratorio takes its title from Darwin's 1859 On the Origin of Species. The work was commissioned by the Artswego program and the Music Department of State University of New York at Oswego for the worldwide Darwin Bicentennial. The Origin had its world premiere on 6 February 2009 at the university's Waterman Theatre.

Premiere performance

The premiere performance of The Origin was conducted by Julie Pretzat and featured soprano Jacqueline Horner from the a cappella quartet, Anonymous 4; tenor Todd Graber; bass Eric Johnson; the women's vocal ensemble, Kitka; the SUNY Oswego College Choir; Oswego College-Community Orchestra; and the Oswego Festival Chorus. Of the over 200 performers, about 80 were students at SUNY Oswego. The projected video images which served as a backdrop to the performance were by filmmaker Bill Morrison.

References

• Johnson, Melinda, On the origins of 'Origin', The Post-Standard (Syracuse), 5 February 2009. Accessed 8 February 2008.
• Kates, William Composer's opera-oratorio honors Charles Darwin, Associated Press, 6 February 2009. Accessed 8 February 2008.
• Kushner, Daniel J., Darwin's work evolves into insightful music (review), The Post-Standard (Syracuse), 7 February 2009. Accessed 8 February 2008.
• State University of New York at Oswego, Premiering 'Origin', 14 January 2009. Accessed 8 February 2008.
• Trudell, Allison Kanaley, "He said, 'Oh, no, is this another Cecil B. DeMille moment?' ", The Post-Standard (Syracuse), 5 February 2009. Accessed 8 February 2008.