OKEHAMPTON Choral Society will be performing next week to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of the famous composer, Kosef Hayd.

The performance of his most celebrated oratorio, The Creation, will be on Saturday, May 2 at 7.30pm at Fairplace Church.

The 80-strong choir, directed by conductor John Holland, will be supported by soloists Kathryn Bond from London, Gordon Pike, tenor, from Exeter and John Hobbs, bass, from North Devon.

They will be accompanied by the Okement Chamber Orchestra — a group of 25 musicians from all over Devon and Cornwall and led by Paul Mathews.

The creation was directly inspired by Handel's Messiah and recently parts of it have been featured in the BBC television programme 'The Choir'.

John Holland said: 'We have been working on the choral passages of this great piece during the winter months and every time we sing this music, it lifts the spirits in a very thrilling manner.

'The first performance in Vienna was a sensation. I hope that when everyone is together on the day, this wonderful music will come vividly to life in Okehampton as well.'

Tickets cost £7 and £3 for students and are available from The Beanfeast in the Arcade, from choir members or on the door.