Masterworks Chorale closes season with ‘Nelson Mass’

Louisiana Choral Foundation’s Masterworks Chorale will present its final concert of the season, “Nelson Mass,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5, in McNeese State University’s Tritico Theatre.

Formally titled “Missa in Angustiis” by composer Joseph Haydn, the concert will feature five movements each reflecting the unsettling political climate surrounding Haydn during the time of its conception.

“The text is quite elaborate with lots of mood changes,” Darryl Jones, artistic director, said. “The tempos and the way the mass is put together is really exciting. It’s very meaningful and very theatrical in the delivery.”

The concert will feature the vocals of the Masterworks Chorale plus vocal soloists from past and present McNeese Chamber Singers.

“The singers are doing a great job with this and really delivering the text,” he said.

One of the most performed vocal works of Haydn, Jones said the choir and orchestra are working hard to preserve the original spirit of the work.

Despite being written during a time of anguish, Hayd “writes it in such a way that is very joyful and very uplifting,” Jones said.

The orchestral accompaniment will follow the original style of the work from Haydn’s time including a very small orchestra due to a lot of inflation during his patronage. True to the style, the weekend’s concert will feature a string quarter, two trumpets, a timpani and piano.

“With the price cuts there were no wind instruments being used and they had to perform limited forces,” he said.

Tickets are $15 and are available at Swicegood Music or at the door. Children and students with identification are admitted free. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/thelouisianachoralfoundation.