The Music

Mendelssohn’s choral and orchestral masterwork depicts events in the life of the Biblical prophet, Elijah, with lyrics based directly on the text of the Old Testament books of I and II Kings.

The oratorio was premiered in 1846, and has come to hold its place with the greatest choral works still being performed the world over. Mendelssohn was inspired by his baroque heroes Handel and Bach, but the music is all Mendelssohn, and reflects his genius as a Romantic composer.

The Choir

Oriana is no stranger to performing major choral works. Past presentations include Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem and Mass In C Minor, Faure’s Requiem and Bach’s Magnificat. This time around, Oriana is honoured to be under the directorship conductor and music director, Andrew Wailes. Soloists for Mendelssohn’s masterpiece will be:   

Elijah – Daniel Smerdon

Soprano – Elisabeth Wallis Gaedtke

Alto – Anne Fulton

Tenor – Phillip Prendergast

Oriana has long desired to perform this very special work, and is delighted to be working once again with the B.S.O., and with Andrew Wailes, to stage Elijah as part of the Events Centre’s re-opening celebrations in 2019.