An Oratorio
Tho Text from the Old Testament
Dora LABBETTE MURIEL BRUNSKILL
(Soprano) (Contralto)
SrENCER THOMAS REX PALMER
(Tenor) (Baritone)
THE WIRELESS CHORUS, THE WIRELESS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (Leader, S. KNEALE KELLEY ),
Conducted by STANFORD ROBINSON rIS, one of the two most popular oratorios of the world. received its first performance in Birmingham Town Hall just over eighty years ago. The Composer himself conducted, and his work gained immediate favour. Its fame quickly spread all over England.
A few years ago the Oratorio was staged and noted by the Moody Manners Opera Company-an event taking us back to the idea of the original Oratorios, which were developments of the religious dramas of the Middle Ages.
The work outlines the great prophet's mediations between God and the Israelites. Besides ELIJAH, the chief characters are OBADIAH, an ANOEr., the Widow whose son Elijah restores to life, the Boy whom Elijah sends to seek signs of coining rain, KING AHAB and the QUEEN.
To soloists are also allotted various parts such as those of Two WOMEN OF ISRAEL and of ANGELS. The Chorus generally represents the ISRAELITES, but also such different characters as the PROPHETS OF BAAL and ANGELS.
Neither is the whole Oratorio, nor are Parts
One and Two. written in an unbroken, continuous flow, but rather in a number of set pieces, which we may classify as follows :-
(1) Choruses, which generally express the prayers, praisos or comments of the People; (2) Solo pieces as follows : (a) Recitatives, or free musical recitation of the narrative. (The accompaniment is sometimes no more than a mere support, sometimes slightly fuller and more descriptive ; in any case, in the Recitatives the words take precedence); (b) Airs, or definite songs in which the music takes precedence. (3) Ensembles — Duets, Trios, etc., in which the Soloists unite, and sometimes (one or more of them) combine with the Chorus.
PART I
The score opens with a brief INTRODUCTION, in which Elijah declaims the words : As God the Lord of Israel liveth, before Whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
This is followed by tho
OVERTURE, a lengthy orchestral piece which Mendelssohn added as an afterthought.
This leads direct into the Opening Chorus. The Israelites are bewailing the famino which is spreading over the land.
Next Elijah, at the bidding of an Angel, departs to the brook Cherith, and thence to Zarephath, where he restores the Widow's son to life.
Next follow KingAhab's accusation of Elijah as responsible for the lack of rain, the downfall of tho Priests of Baal, the triumph of Elijah, and the coming of rain, with the rejoicings of the Israelites.