Wokingham Choral Society in Concert

Wokingham Choral Society return to the Great Hall to perform two powerful but lesser-known choral works.

Haydn: Theresienmesse
Theresienmesse (H. XXII/12) is a mass named after Maria Theresa of the Two Sicilies, empress consort of Francis II - and herself the soprano soloist at private performances of both The Creation and The Seasons in May 1801 at the Viennese Court. One of six masses written to celebrate the name-day of Princess Maria Josepha Hermenegilde, the Theresienmesse is not as frequently performed as its companions the Nelson Mass or the Missa in tempore belli, but has attracted critical admiration.

Beethoven: Opferlied (opus 121b)
For almost three decades, Beethoven had been drawn to the 1790 Masonic-tinged poem “Opferlied” (Sacrificial Hymn) by Friedrich von Matthisson. Four distinct Beethoven settings of “Opferlied” exist - his fourth and final setting of "Opferlied" (Op. 121b) is for soprano solo with four-voice chorus and orchestra.