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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Elijah
Home Watching Over Israel Rest in the Lord Endure to the End

 

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Elijah
Felix's Hymns

 

This must be one of the most popular pieces in the choral repertoire. 

Elijah (or Elias) Oratorio, is Felix's Opus 70. Composed to a text selected from the Bible by Julius Schrubring in 1846. It was many years in the making as Felix honed it to the perfection he aspired. First performed in Birmingham in 1846, he then revised it again. It was then performed three times in Exeter Hall, London in 1847, followed by Hamburg in 1847, and New York in 1851. Six months after the London performances he tragically died.

The oratorio received immediate and ecstatic acclaim. Scored for soprano, contralto, tenor, bass and treble soloists, boys choir, mixed choir, and orchestra; it is a formidable work. But artists, musicians, conductors and audiences alike enjoy it immensely.

In addition to full performances, soloists and choirs thoroughly enjoy singing solos and choruses from it in concerts. Here are three pieces from Felix's great work as a taster. 

 

Choose which you would like to hear . . .

 

Select further choices - Click buttons above (OR left for Felix's Hymns) . . .

 

 


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© Music arranged and 'performed' by Dr J Eric Ashton

Copyright © Dr J Eric Ashton 27 September 2010 . All Rights Reserved.

This site was last updated on 27 September 2010 .

 

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