Haydn’s “Nelson Mass,” Madeira

The pinnacle of sacred music in the 19th century was found not in the Vatican, but in Austria. This program features three Viennese masterpieces presented by the Capella and a rich orchestra of strings, flute, oboes, trumpets, and timpani. The evening begins with Dixit Dominus, a spectacular and rarely heard setting of Psalm 110 by Marianna Martines, rich in color and rhythmic vitality. Next is Mozart’s euphoric Exsultate, jubilate, a virtuosic cantata sung by British soprano Caitlin Harrison, whose central movement tenderly reflects on the coronation of Mary. The program culminates in Haydn’s Mass in Time of Tribulation, a majestic work revered for its dramatic energy and solemn grandeur. Premiered shortly after Admiral Horatio Nelson’s decisive victory at the Battle of the Nile, Nelson Mass is widely regarded as Haydn’s finest sacred work.

Part of the St. Gertrude 2025-26 Sacred Music Series
​Tickets: General Admission $25; Student $10 (with valid ID); Children under 12 free. Maximum $60 per family.