Join Choir of the Earth on Thursday 25 September 2025 at 18:00 CEST (local time), as they perform Joseph Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis - often called the Nelson Mass - in the magnificent Haydnsaal at Schloss Esterházy, Eisenstadt.
They will be joined by local professional soloists and musicians, and conducted by the Choir’s internationally-renowned Musical Director, Ben England.
Admission is by donation, with proceeds supporting two local children’s charities: SOS Children's Village Pinkafeld, which provides homes and support for vulnerable children and families, and Superar, which offers free music, dance and choral education to young people from all backgrounds.
To reserve your place, please contact office@concerts-austria.com
Written in 1798 during a time of political turmoil, the Nelson Mass is one of Haydn’s most dramatic and powerful works. Its nickname reflects both the anxiety of its age and its later association with Admiral Lord Nelson, whose victories were celebrated across Europe.
This performance takes place in the historic setting where Haydn himself composed and conducted. As Kapellmeister to the Esterházy family for over forty years, Haydn created many of his greatest works for this very hall.
Though definitive records do not survive, it is widely considered historically plausible that Haydn conducted the Missa in Angustiis during Admiral Nelson’s visit to Eisenstadt in 1800. At that time, the Haydnsaal - renowned for its acoustics and grandeur - was the site of important court performances. While this cannot be confirmed with certainty, the political climate, the dramatic character of the music, and the significance of Nelson’s visit all suggest a compelling connection that adds resonance to this performance.
For Choir of the Earth, singing Haydn’s music in the hall it was written for is a rare and moving privilege. Singers have been preparing for this concert online, using the Choir’s innovative teaching methods and resources to learn their parts from homes across the globe. After just two days of rehearsal together in Austria, they will come together to perform Haydn’s beautiful music in this extraordinary venue.
If you will be near Eisenstadt on 25 September 2025 (or know someone who will) contact Concerts Austria by email today to secure your tickets for this memorable occasion.