THOMASTON — Down East Singers, Mozart Mentors Orchestra and four professional soloists will present Josef Haydn's "Mass in a Time of Anxiety" (also known as the "Lord Nelson Mass") on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, at 5 p.m., at Watts Hall, 174 Main Street, Thomaston. The performance will be conducted by Anthony Antolini of Cushing.
 
Composed in 1798, Haydn's Mass in a Time of Anxiety was written during the Napoleonic Wars when Europe was focused on the Battle of the Nile in Egypt, a conflict that was a defeat for Napoleon's forces but not the end of the wider conflict. The tension of the times is reflected in the opening "Kyrie" movement in which the chorus repeatedly cries out "Lord, have mercy." The work ends with a rousing "Dona nobis pacem" (grant us peace).

The work is scored for four soloists, chorus, string orchestra, three trumpets and timpani. The name "Lord Nelson Mass" was given to the piece at a later date. It was a tribute to the commander of the British Navy, Horatio Nelson, who routed Napoleon's forces in Abukir, Egypt. Other names for the work include "Coronation Mass," "Imperial Mass," and "Mass in D minor."
 
Soloists will include Erin Chenard, soprano; Jazmin DeRice, contralto; David Myers, tenor; and John David Adams, bass. Jennifer McIvor will play continuo keyboard (organ). 
 
Admission to the performance is $25, students 18 and younger may pay what they wish, but all must have a ticket. Doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets are available on the Down East Singers website, or at the box office on the day of the performance if any are left. For more information, visit downeastsingers.org or phone (207) 619-0413.
 
An open rehearsal will be offered on Sunday, May 26, at 4 p.m., at Watts Hall, for those who are unable to attend the performance on Memorial Day. A donation of $10 is requested for those attending the open rehearsal. No tickets are required. 
 
Watts Hall is equipped with a new air conditioning and air filtration system and is fully accessible to those with walking difficulties.

The length of the performance is approximately 1 hour.