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Programme Note

This popular work opens with a splendid storm, above which God can be heard muttering about the irritations he finds with mankind. He then instructs Noah in graphic detail how to build the ark and select animals-two by two. There is a wonderful description of the torrential downpour and the world becoming submerged. In a profusion of fine solos and lively choruses we learn about the difficulty of living under hatches and the eventual drying-out of the world.