Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” (April 2024)

First performed in 1846 at the Birmingham Festival, and conducted by the composer himself, Mendelssohn’s oratorio “Elijah” tells the story of the biblical prophet Elijah’s struggle against the worship of the false god Baal, his interactions with various characters including King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, and his eventual ascension to heaven. The oratorio is known for its dramatic and expressive music, and it remains a significant work in the choral and oratorio repertoire.