Boston Baroque presents one of Joseph Haydn’s greatest and most dramatic choral masterpieces—his Lord Nelson Mass, also known by its original title Missa in Angustiis (“Mass in Troubled Times”). Composed in 1798 during a period of political upheaval and uncertainty as Napoleon’s forces threatened Europe, this monumental mass reflects both the anxiety of the age and Haydn’s enduring belief in hope and triumph.
Written at a time when Haydn was at the height of his creative powers, the Lord Nelson Mass pairs soaring vocal lines with electrifying orchestral writing, including prominent parts for trumpets and timpani that give the work its bold, martial character. The nickname “Lord Nelson Mass” was added shortly after the Mass’s premiere when news of Admiral Horatio Nelson’s victory over Napoleon reached Austria, forever linking this powerful music with the idea of victory and resilience.
A Groton Hill exclusive!
Ten years ago, pianist Isata and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason arrived on the international classical music scene by way of Britain’s Got Talent: they made a splash as the eldest and third siblings in a remarkable family of musicians. As their stars rose, the young artists lived up to the hype, earning acclaim from critics and rapturous applause from audiences for recitals, orchestral appearances, and chart-topping recordings.
