Elijah

Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Op. 70, is one of the greatest 19th-century oratorios, comparable to Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s The Creation. Premiered in 1846 at the Birmingham Festival, it showcases Mendelssohn’s mastery of choral writing, dramatic intensity, and lyrical beauty. Sung in English, it recounts the life of the prophet Elijah from 1 Kings.

The oratorio opens with As God the Lord of Israel Liveth, where Elijah (baritone) declares a drought upon Israel. The  Overture leads into the desperate chorus Help, Lord! A dramatic highlight is Baal, We Cry to Thee, where the priests’ frantic pleas are met with silence. Elijah’s triumph follows in Is Not His Word Like a Fire?

The lyrical He Watching Over Israel reflects Mendelssohn’s gift for expressive melody, while the elegant soprano aria Hear Ye, Israel adds spiritual depth. Elijah’s ascension into heaven is depicted with brilliant orchestration and choral grandeur. The final chorus, And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth, concludes the oratorio with themes of faith and renewal.

Blending Baroque influences with Romantic expressfulness, Elijah remains a favorite for its dramatic storytelling and rich harmonies.