Hadyn animated

The Esterházys have a new prince. Nicholas II wants to revive musical life and asks the famous former court composer, Joseph Haydn, who is known throughout Europe, whether he might like to return from London? He did. And for the young princess's name days, Haydn was allowed to write a total of six solemn masses: for example the Missa Sancti Bernardi of Offida in honour of a monk who had just been canonized. As Haydn weaves the old hymn Heilig heilig heilig ist der Herr into the Sanctus, the mass's epithet is quickly established: Heiligmesse.

Another gift from the princess is the timpani mass. It gets its nickname from the muted, rhythmically relentless timpani solo in the Agnus Dei. Its official title is: Mass in times of war. After the French Revolution, there was great turmoil in Europe, which would develop into the Napoleonic Wars over the next few years. Difficult times. But the audience is happy that Haydn is back.

Date and time
November 28, 2025, 19:30

Address
Fraumünster Zurich

Organizer
Zurich Singing Academy

Works
Joseph Haydn: Missa Sancti Bernardi by Offida "Holy Mass"・Missa in Tempore Belli "Timpani Mass"

Management
René Jacobs

Soloists
Birgitte Christensen, soprano・Kristina Hammarström, alto・Jeremy Ovenden, tenor・ Christian Senn, bass・Basel Chamber Orchestra・Zürcher Sing-Akademie

Admission price
CHF 20 - 85, discount for AHV and (cultural) legi

Contact us
Zürcher Sing-Akademie (043 344 56 60 ・tickets@sing-akademie.ch)

Website
www.sing-akademie.ch/konzerte