From Darkness, Light

Before audiences came to know it as the “Nelson Mass,” Haydn titled his new 1798 composition Missa in Angustiis, the "Mass for Troubled Times." Written amid political uncertainty and the turmoil of war, this extraordinary masterpiece transforms feelings of anxiety into a powerful expression of hope, faith, and triumph. Bel Canto Chorus opens its season by pairing Haydn's dramatic and exhilarating work with Ola Gjeilo's Luminous Night of the Soul, a contemporary meditation that explores themes of light, spiritual union, and the divine spirit of art through a vibrant, symphonic soundscape. Featuring the Baptist College of Ministry Chamber Strings, this inspiring program bridges centuries of sacred music, illuminating the enduring human search for light, peace, and renewal through voices and strings.