Bolton Philharmonic set for spring concert.

Byline: Chelsey Kilgour

BOLTON - The Bolton Philharmonic will present a spring concert Sunday, celebrating the music and life of composer Franz Joseph Haydn. The performance will fall on the 200th anniversary of his death and will be a tribute to Haydn and his most famous composition, the "Lord Nelson" Mass.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, with doors opening at 6 p.m., at the First Parish Church, 673 Main St. (Route 117). A pre-concert presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m. General admission, at the door, is $10; or $5 for those 65 and older. After the performance, refreshments will be available and attendees will be invited to meet the musicians.

Kristjon E. Imperio, orchestra founder and president, formed the orchestra last July and performed the first concert to a sold-out crowd in December.

According to Ken Swanton, orchestra director and a member of its chorus, that concert was a success.

"December went great - we actually had to turn people away," he said.

This performance will in a larger venue, Davis Hall. The first show was in a smaller room in the church.

For the second concert, orchestra members wanted to present more than just a concert. They wanted to give it more meaning, along with insight into the music.

"The biggest difference is the presentation. Kristjon (Mr. Imperio) will be giving a history of the music, then presenting the music itself," Mr. Swanton said.

The speaking presentation will be about 45 minutes. Mr. Imperio will discuss what makes the Lord Nelson Mass significant. He will also talk about Haydn's life, his contribution to music and the historical background of his most famous piece.

"It's both a listening and a learning experience," Mr. Swanton said.

After a brief intermission, the Philharmonic's Festival Chorus and Chamber Ensemble will perform the entire Lord Nelson Mass.

The performance will include about 25 musicians and will feature four soloists, including soprano Yumi Bruso, alto Kristal Imperio, tenor Randsom Woodson and baritone Michael Morizio.

The musicians have been attending weekly practices since January and will perform the Mass in its original Latin.

Mr. Imperio is also the director of music at First Parish Church and on the piano faculty at Thayer Performing Arts Center in South Lancaster. He is a music education graduate of Atlantic Union College in Lancaster.