Danesborough Chorus Summer Concert Haydn Theresa Mass

Danesborough Chorus returns to Woburn for a summer concert in St Mary’s Parish Church, accompanied by the Alina Orchestra with soloists Bethany Seymour, Nancy Cole, Simon Berridge and Philip Tebb.

(Johann) Michael Haydn — younger brother of the more famous (Franz) Joseph Haydn —was Kapellmeister to the Archbishop of Salzburg. In December 1771 he had to organise suitable music for the memorial service of his patron, Archbishop Siegmund and, in just two weeks, he composed the Requiem in C minor, an astonishing feat of vocal and instrumental writing. Three years after his own death, this requiem was performed at the funeral of his famous brother, Joseph.

Joseph Haydn’s Maria Theresa Mass, written in 1799, was the fourth in a series of six masses he composed to celebrate the name-day of Princess Maria Hermenegild, wife of his patron, Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy II. It’s a work of marked musical contrasts; ranging from the blazingly triumphant opening of the Gloria to the gentleness of the concluding Dona Nobis Pacem which displays the lyrical quality that characterises this whole magnificent work.

Both the Requiem in C minor and Maria Theresa Mass are rarely performed so this is a marvellous opportunity to hear these two unjustly neglected masterworks. And, for a truly sparkling summer evening at Woburn, remember to bring strawberries and wine for the longer-than-usual concert interval.

We’re continuing to limit tickets to 75% of capacity and making all tickets unreserved within price bands. Tickets are on sale from Wednesday 4 May either by phone on 01908 583460 or online at www.wegottickets.com.