Florence AD 1644
'...it was there I found and visited the famous Galileo, grown old, a prisoner of the Inquisition, for thinking in Astronomy otherwise than the Franciscan and Dominican licencers thought' John Milton - Areopagitica.
A Twenty-First Century Oratorio by Joe St.Johanser
Ode to Galileo
This new composed oratorio for 6 principals, SSATBB choir and piano was rehearsed, performed and recorded in a workshop session at Christ Church Woking on Tuesday June 15th 2004.
.The piece lasts 30 minutes.
Choral conductors and general public were invited to sit in and observe for all or part of the session. There was no ticket charge but a collection was made for the local charity Woking Hospice.
Some sponsorship is available for future performances of the oratorio. If you would like a free of charge promotional copy of the CD recording and/or the score please email music publisher
Rachel Timkins (The Public Professor) - Susan Garrett - Mezzo-Soprano
Galileo Galilei (Prince of Physics) - David Ubaka - Baritone
S. Maria Celeste (Galileo's Daughter, A Poor Claire Nun) - Alice Bishop - Soprano
Friar Tommaso Caccini (Dominican Preacher) - Nigel Evans-Thompson - Baritone
Most Illustrious Lord Cardinal Bellarmine - Paul Charrier - Baritone
Magnificent Carlo Sinceri (Inquisitor General) - David Stuart - Baritone
Jill House - Mezzo-Soprano
The Public Chorus (Tutored and Untutored) - Members of Guildford Chamber Choir and friends - SSATBB
Conductor - Wynford Evans
Pianist - Sheila Blow
Galileo's discoveries - the telescope and the moons of Jupiter - his trial before the Inquisition - this new oratorio is a lyrical exploration of scientific and religious certainties and doubts in the face of the awesome and wonderful mystery of Creation.
sponsored by Starlight Opera (UK) and Robosoft Music