Mendelssohn: Elijah | Hertfordshire Chorus and London Orchestra da Camera

Come and hear one of the country’s best symphonic choirs perform one of Britain’s most popular choral works in the sublime surroundings of St Albans Cathedral. Elijah was very much the Messiah of its day: a hugely popular work that absolutely cemented Mendelssohn’s position as one of the greatest composers of sacred music. Two thousand people attended the premiere performance of Elijah, which saw Mendelssohn himself take to the podium at Birmingham Town Hall.
Elijah has an imaginative orchestration and the variety Mendelssohn brings to the recitatives ensure that they always maintain dramatic impetus. Many arias and choruses have a sheer beauty but above all, there is no mistaking the work’s considerable dramatic impact, epitomised by the vivid characterisation of Elijah himself.