Celebration of the Arts

Elijah Op. 70 - Felix Mendelssohn

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) wrote “Elijah” Op. 70 in 1845-46 for the Birmingham Choral Festival. It was a concept that he had been considering since 1837 after the success of his first oratorio “St. Paul.” The work is a highly dramatic telling of several events in the life and ministry of Elijah. The nation had been in turmoil after King Ahab and his wife Jezebel introduced the pagan gods of Phoenicia into Israel.  Jezebel’s prophets erected a temple to Baal and established this as the religion of the land. Because of this, God sent a draught upon the land.

In the first big vignette Elijah revives the son of the Widow of Zarepheth who died of starvation because of the terrible agricultural climate caused by the draught. This is answered by the chorus singing “Blessed are the men who fear him, they ever walk in the ways of peace.” The next scene is between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. They have a contest to determine who is God by setting up altars and calling on their respective gods to set fire to them. Elijah begins mocking the prophets of Baal seeing that they should call louder, perhaps he’s sleeping.  The God of Israel lights His altar and Elijah slays the prophets of Baal. A youth then sings that the sky is darkening and the rain comes to the land.

Part two opens with a soprano aria telling the people to heed the word of God. Jezebel enters and we hear the conflict of this act. Jezebel is calling for Elijah to be killed for what he did to her prophets.  Elijah then goes into hiding in a cave. God sends angels to minister to him and to remind him that God watches over those who serve him. God comes to Elijah and takes him to heaven in a fiery chariot.

This work is one of the most performed oratorios in the canon. The orchestral writing is highly evocative of the dramatic scenes that Mendelssohn depicts.  The work was originally written in German but was translated very meticulously into English. The work features a large orchestra, chorus, a quartet of soloists that also function as part of a double quartet and a ladies trio. This dynamic piece is different from some oratorios in that the soloists truly take on the roles of Elijah, Obadiah, Jezebel, and Ahab. The chorus serves as the mob of Israelites, the prophets of Baal, and a chorus of angels. The drama carries through to the final Amen and a huge release as Elijah’s story truly closes.