McGegan, Williams, and Van Doren shine with STLSO

“On Saturday night at Powell Symphony Hall, the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and Orchestra gave a superb performance of “The Creation,” with a trio of fine soloists, a well-trained chorus, and the orchestra nailing its part, all under the inspired direction of Nicholas McGegan…American bass-baritone Douglas Williams’ angel Raphael set the tone; his big, dark sound is alluring, and his interpretations as both angel and Adam were spot-on…Yulia Van Doren, singing the parts of the angel Gabriel and Eve, didn’t have the largest voice on the stage, but she surely had one of the best-produced, intelligently used. She has a rich timbre and outstanding musicality, with clean coloratura and a seemingly instinctive grasp of the text.”