Mendelssohn’s Elijah has been described as ‘more of an opera than an oratorio’. Intensely theatrical, it calls for a substantial orchestra, a large line-up of soloists, and a chorus that has both power and sensitivity.
The work was a smash hit at its first performance in 1846 before two thousand people in Birmingham’s Town Hall — a building whose interior is very similar in size and layout to the Auckland Town Hall.
Be prepared for the widest range of musical emotions, from the thrilling, ceremonial battle of “Baal We Cry to Thee” to the soft, three-part gem of “Lift thine Eyes”. Elijah is nothing less than the lifetime journey of a soul.
Jennifer Barrington Soprano
Helen Medlyn Mezzo
Martin Buckigham Tenor
Martin Snell Bass
Auckland Choral
Pipers Sinfonia
Uwe Grodd Conductor
Saturday 2 September 7.30pm
Auckland Town Hall
Jim Allardyce here from Whangarei. Commuting to Auckland for work, down on a Tuesday and back on a Friday, has opened up a new side to my social calendar. Rehearsals at the choir have become my weekly highlight forming a natural part of my week. Joining only this year, I remember going for my first visit to "check it all out" - I sat at the back amazed at the choir sight-reading Mendelssohn in German (as it was their first reading and performance of the piece). Very soon I was in the thick of it - rolling my r's in Mendelssohn's tongue with the other singers in my bass one section. My inaugural concert in the Auckland Town Hall was unforgettable as the choir was stupendous.
Hi, I’m Nicola – Alto 2. I joined the choir 6 years ago and absolutely love it! For me, it is the perfect blend of people, community, fabulous music, the opportunity to perform, feeling uplifted every single rehearsal and a good dose of challenge (it’s tough getting all the pronunciations right, and actually learning the music!)
