The Festival Choir: Nelson Mass

Joseph Haydn and the Festival Choir are this year's choral highlight. Brilliant amateurs and professional musicians come together in the magnificent Frydendal Church.

Date
Time
–
Venue
Frydendal kirke
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Festivalkoret i Frydendal kirke
Foto: Liv Øvland

About the concert

What a tradition we have created! Not only has the Festival Choir become a permanent fixture in our programme, but filling the magnificent Frydendal Church changes the atmosphere of the entire festival. With conductor Tor Morten Halvorsen, we have now established the Festival Choir as one of the year's major highlights.

This year the choir takes on one of Haydn's most extensive mass settings, Missa in angustiis (Mass for Troubled Times). This work places great demands on the choir and is a real test of strength. For those of us listening, however, all we need to do is sit back and enjoy.

Additional Content

Concert Program

Kaja Saariaho (1952–2023): Nocturne (1994)

Performed by Jan Söderblom, violin

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Joseph Haydn: Missa in angustiis in D minor, Hob. XXII:11 (Nelson Mass)

  • Kyrie. Allegro moderato
  • Gloria. Allegro
  • Credo. Allegro con spirito
  • Sanctus. Adagio
  • Benedictus. Allegretto
  • Agnus Dei. Adagio

The Austrian composer Joseph Haydn wrote the work at a time when his homeland was at war with France. Napoleon won battle after battle, but in August 1798 he suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of the Nile. The victor was Horatio Nelson, and the work thus became popularly known as the Nelson Mass. A small hope in the hopelessness Austria felt.

Performers:

  • Lina Johnson, soprano
  • Frøydis Fegran Kopperud, alto
  • Simen Bredesen, tenor
  • Halvor Melien, bass
  • Orchestra with string players from Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra and Talent Sør, as well as festival musicians and the Festival Choir under the direction of conductor Tor Morten Halvorsen.

Artists