Cantata Choir is giving its first Concert of 2013 on the 2nd of March at 7.30pm. in the Medina Theatre.

Two choral pieces are to be performed in commemoration of the bicentenary of Nelson’s victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar.

The first of these is the Nelson Mass by Haydn a well known and popular work. The second piece, “A Great and Glorious Victory” by Jonathan Willcocks, was commissioned by the Portsmouth Choral Union in 2005 and is a powerful work that was intended as a companion to Haydn’s Nelson Mass.

The words “a great and glorious victory” are included in a prayer written by Nelson shortly before the battle commenced while the text comes from a number of different sources including the Latin Requiem Mass, the Book of Common Prayer and contemporary accounts of the Battle of Trafalgar.

In addition to the Choral items an orchestral piece by Mozart completes the programme.

This is his Serenade in G (K.525), more commonly known as ‘Eine Kleine Nachtmusik’, which is widely recognised as one of Mozart’s most well known works.

The professional soloists who have been engaged are Marie Elliott - Mezzo Soprano, Hye-Youn Lee – Soprano, James Geer – Tenor and James Oldfield Bass-Baritone.

They all have impressive CVs and Hye-Youn Lee from South Korea has been selected by the Independent on Sunday as “The face to Watch in Classical Music 2013”.

They will be supported by the one hundred strong Cantata Choir in what will undoubtedly be another stirring evening of great music. Further details of the works to be performed and the soloists can be found on the Cantata website, iowcantatachoir.co.uk

Tickets at £10 are on sale now at the Medina Theatre Box Office, Tel. 527020.