Haydn's Missa in Angustiis (Lord Nelson Mass)

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.

This performance features a stellar cast of vocal luminaries: soprano Lauren Snouffer, mezzo-soprano Alex Hetherington, tenor Andrew Haji, and bass-baritone Philippe Sly. With its radiant Gloria, fervent Credo, and dramatic Agnus Dei, Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis stands as one of the crowning achievements of the Classical sacred repertoire—an uplifting and thrilling musical journey that continues to resonate in both concert halls and hearts around the world.