Closing Concert: Mendelssohn’s Elijah

In this Closing Concert, discover Felix Mendelssohn's triumphant oratorio anew as the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and Royal Scottish National Orchestra breathe life into his most famous work. 

Elijah follows the biblical story of the Old Testament prophet Elijah. Elijah defeats the worshippers of the false god Baal and performs extraordinary miracles, culminating in his exile by the ruthless Queen Jezebel.

Written for the 1846 Birmingham Music Festival by Mendelssohn, the score combines Baroque grandeur with luscious Romantic orchestration. Packed with thrilling choruses and lyrical solos and ensembles, Elijah promises to delight. Elijah himself gets some of the most evocative numbers, from his dramatic aria ‘Is not his word like a fire?’ to his pensive soliloquy ‘It is enough’.

At its premiere this piece was hailed as a ‘total triumph' and was performed at every subsequent Birmingham Music Festival. The Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and line up of stellar soloists join forces to infuse Mendelssohn’s celebrated work with fresh energy.

This concert will be recorded for broadcast by our partners BBC Radio 3. Find out more.

Rising Stars of Voice programme joins this performance. Rising Stars gives the world’s most promising young musicians a chance to shine on an international stage.