Classical

Pirates, whales, and Godzilla, oh my! Come explore the depths of the sea with this mix of old and new favorites. Classic highlights include Gustav Holst’s Hammersmith (written along the River Thames) and Percy Grainger’s Molly on the Shore. Also included are newer works such as a symphonic suite from Pirates of the Caribbean, Benjamin Horne’s arrangement of the spiritual “Deep River,” and Lindsay Bronnenkant’s depiction of the ruler of the sea in Tarot cards, “The King of Cups.” 

The program is bookended by a sparring between Godzilla and Moth[ra], featuring Viet Cuong’s Moth and Eric Whitacre’s uproarious Godzilla Eats Las Vegas. You won’t want to miss this concert, but beware… some of these creatures might show up to the performance!

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.