It remains a mystery why the last six masses Haydn composed are performed so infrequently. Every one of them contains page after page of glorious music.
In Britain, at least, no doubt because of its association with Nelson, the third of these (in D minor, HobXXII.11) does get heard from time to time.
This was a lovely evening, with the Haydn following a first half of Mozart works. The evening began with three short pieces, first the glorious, late Ave verum corpus, K618, followed by God is our refuge, K20, the one choral piece by the child Mozart, composed in London to an English text. The third work, Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, K273, was followed by one of his major choral pieces the Vesperae solennes de confessore, K273, which also required the excellent quartet of soloists.
Haydn's Nelson Mass has a particularly demanding part for the solo soprano, and Catriona Hewitson delivered the coloratura elements beautifully. The other three, also regular performers with Scottish Opera, all made an excellent impression. Derek Clark, reunited with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, directed a thoroughly enjoyable performance.
Can we ask for more of these neglected pieces to be given in future seasons?
© Copyright Opera Scotland 2025
Site by SiteBuddha