Crouch End Festival Chorus will perform Mendelssohn’s Elijah at Alexandra Palace Theatre in October 2024 as a celebration of their 40th anniversary.

Start time of the concert: 6pm

London Orchestra da Camera

Ana Beard Fernández Soprano
Marta Fontanals-Simmons Mezzo-soprano
Nicholas Mulroy Tenor
James Platt Bass
Raphael Laming Treble
David Temple Conductor

Felix Mendelssohn, who was only 38 when he died in 1847, conducted the first performance of Elijah a year earlier in Birmingham Town Hall. It soon became one of the greatest oratorios of all time, with its dramatic narrative of Elijah vanquishing the false prophets of Baal and bringing back rain to the “thirsty land” before riding off on his chariot of fire.

Here, Elijah is a belligerent character who teases the prophets of Baal before he wins the day. In this performance, the role will be sung by the beautifully sonorous James Platt with his “barrel-chest of a bass voice” (The Times).

The choruses are full of contrasting emotions, vivid storytelling, and extreme dynamism, playing to the strengths of Crouch End Festival Chorus and its conductor, David Temple.

Age recommendation 12+