Elijah – an angry prophet and a man full of doubt. A zealot who calls for bloodshed, and yet a man who shows compassion and kindness. The title character in Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio »Elijah« is no rigid saint, but a flesh-and-blood character. Mendelssohn’s visionary music, with its depictions of storms, earthquakes, floods and fire, throws itself with elemental force into this Old Testament story, yet does not forget the moments of comfort. This made Elijah the most popular oratorio of the 19th century. In icons of the Eastern Church, the bearded Elijah sits alone in the forest, looking expectantly at a raven bringing him food; in a painting by Lucas Cranach, however, he stands amidst a teeming crowd and successfully challenges the priests of the idol Baal. Elijah, Elia, Elija means »My God is the Lord«. And this man of God proves it, whether as a hermit or as a thunderous prophet.
PERFORMERS
Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach-Chor Hamburg choir
Staatskapelle Halle orchestra
Michael Volle baritone
Hansjörg Albrecht director
PROGRAM
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Elijah
