Music / Elijah, by Felix Mendelssohn, Canberra Choral Society, Conducted by Brett Weymark. At Llewellyn Hall, November 30. Reviewed by LEN POWER.

Composer Felix Mendelssohn was a great admirer of Bach and Handel and composed his oratorio, Elijah, in the spirit of their works. 

His work, depicting events in the life of the prophet Elijah, as told inKings 1 and 2 of the Old Testament, premiered in Birmingham, England, in English, in 1846. It has been frequently performed ever since.

Canberra Choral Society’s performance involved so many musicians and singers that it completely filled the large stage at Llewellyn Hall. As well as the orchestra and choir, the soloists included Teddy Tahu Rhodes, bass; Sonia Anfiloff, soprano; Christina Wilson, mezzo soprano; Damian Arnold, tenor; and Charlotte Walker, soprano. Dan Walker was the chorus master and it was all conducted by Brett Weymark.

Set around 880 BCE, the story tells of the religious conflict that resulted from the marriage of Prince Ahab and Princess Jezebel. A drought is invoked by the prophet, Elijah, as punishment for destroying the Jewish faith and Elijah flees Israel to escape King Ahab’s wrath. After a confrontation on Mount Carmel, the true faith is eventually restored and the drought broken. The conclusion of the work depicts Elijah’s glorious ascension into heaven.

Elijah is a dominant figure throughout the work with his many recitatives and arias. Teddy Tahu Rhodes, as Elijah was commanding throughout and gave a pleasingly robust performance with his sonorous voice. Highlights of his performance included the arias Is Not His Word Like A Fire, It Is Enough and For the Mountains Shall Depart.

Sonia Anfiloff, gave a powerful performance of the opening aria of the second half, Hear Ye, Israel and Christina Wilson brought a particularly notable sensitivity to the famous aria, O Rest in the Lord.

Damien Arnold, gave an impressively heartfelt performance of If With All Hearts and the later Then Shall The Righteous Shine Forth. Charlotte Walker’s beautiful soprano was heard in O Lord, Thou Has Overthrown Thine Enemies.

A semi-chorus, as the Angels, gave a sweet, uplifting performance of Lift Thine Eyes that was also a highlight of the show.

This come-and-sing performance included many guest choristers with the regular choir members. Producing a beautiful and, at times, thrilling sound, their combined singing of the large amount of music for choir was confident, accurate and enjoyable.

Conductor Brett Weymark brought all the elements of this major work together with great success, showing why Mendelssohn’s oratorio has retained its popularity over the years.