CONDUCTOR John Powell led a fantastic performance of two of the most spectacular pieces of classical music as part of Bolton Festival.

The Festival Choir and Orchestra thundered through Bach's tour-de-force Magnificat and Haydn's Nelson Mass in the appropriately grand setting of Bolton Parish Church.

Haydn's breathtaking chorus opened the performance, with soloists soprano Nicola Mills, alto Helen Francis and bass singer Mark Rowlinson. Dramatic fanfares rang out, contrasted by a joyful and jubilant finale to the piece.

The clear sound of trumpets in the performance created a military feel to the mass, with the piece varying in pace from fast and furious strings to calming choral melodies.

A short interval was followed by the Magnificat, one of the most spectacular of all Baroque choruses. At 45 minutes in length, the five-part chorus Magnificat is one of the most easily digestible and enjoyable of Bach's cantatas.

The performance was fantastically executed and clearly conducted, leading the Rev Debby Plummer at the church to describe the performance as the best she had ever seen by an amateur choir.

The 200-strong audience led a rapturous applause at the end of the evening.

Bolton Festival Choir and Orchestra

Bolton Parish Church