The Swansea Philharmonic Choir concluded its summer season with a successful performance of Joseph Haydn’s Maria Theresa Mass at Swansea Minster, bringing the piece back to their repertoire for the first time since 1984. The program focused on Haydn’s late works, pairing the mass with the motet Insanae et vanae curae. This choice followed their 2019 stagings of The Creation and the Nelson Mass, continuing a tradition of exploring the composer’s final, mature era of composition.
Composed in 1799 as an annual commission for Prince Nikolaus II, Haydn expanded the modest Viennese mass into a grand, symphonic mass using a full Classical orchestra. The choir first tackled this complex, joyful work in 1963, making this performance a rare opportunity for local audiences to experience it live. The presentation proved to be a really good performance on this occasion too, matching the high standard of the choir’s previous historical stagings with an exceptionally well-sung delivery throughout.
Under the inspiring musical direction of conductor Jon Rogers, the performance masterfully navigated the score’s dramatic contrasts. The execution moved fluidly from quiet, restrained moments like the opening of the Kyrie to sections of intense, vigorous brilliance in the closing pages of the Credo. The four talented young soloists—Beth Evans, Hella Termeulen, Rhys Archer, and Thomas Crook Taylor—delivered excellent contributions, conversing dynamically with the chorus and standing out during the Et incarnatus est. This rich musical framework was seamlessly supported by organist David Stevens and accompanist Chris Samuel.
The evening proved to be a highly enjoyable and memorable occasion, running smoothly thanks to the dedicated efforts of everyone who helped behind the scenes, with special thanks to Radford and Tony for sorting the staging. The performance earned numerous compliments from the audience in attendance.