Ashford Choral: Elijah

A choral masterpiece in English by Felix Mendelssohn. Performed by Ashford Choral Society, with professional orchestra and top class soloists. The oratorio is based on the old Testament story of the prophet Elijah. "For a subject like Elijah … the drama must reign supreme … the characters must be introduced speaking and acting like living people … a quite vivid world of the sort we find in every chapter of the Old Testament" wrote Mendelssohn. Elijah was regarded as a milestone in Mendelssohn’s output. This is an excitingly dramatic work with droughts, miracles and fiery chariots. Mendelssohn dramatises the world of the Old Testament into thrilling musical episodes in which biblical texts are shaped into a compelling drama. All four soloists have the opportunity to demonstrate their virtuosity and flamboyance with the choir interjecting in a wonderful range of choruses. The first performance of Elijah took place in Birmingham in 1846 and has remained a key part of English Choral repertoire to this day.