NORMAN Alun (Bass).
THE ENGLISH ENSEMBLE : MARJORIE HAYWARD (Violin); REBECCA CLARKE (Viola); MAY MUKLE (Violoncello) ; KATH LEEN LONG (Pianoforte)

From the Birmingham Studio
Conducted by the Rev. W. Eric HODSON (of King's Norton Congregational Church)

From Birmingham
An Oratorio by MENDELSSOHN
English adaptation by W. BARTHOLOMEW
Cast :
THE BIRMINGHAM STUDIO AUGMENTED ORCHESTRA (Leader, FRANK CANTELL) and Chorus, conducted by Joseph LEWIS
To Racine's sacred drama of Athalie, Mendelssohn, by command of the King of Prussia, wrote an Overture and incidental music. The only extract that is at all well known is the War March of the Priests.
The story is that which is told in the Second Book of Chronicles, chapters xxii. and xxiii. In this abridged version two Readers tell the incidents upon which the Soloists and Chorus comment, these also carrying on the action of the story at some points.
The action takes, place in a vestibule of the Temple at Jerusalem. The story turns on the preservation of the young Joash when Athaliah slew all the heirs to the throne of the house of Judah. Joash was hidden for six years. Racine added some developments of his own to the Bible story, telling how Athaliah, disturbed by dreams. flees for solace to the Temple, and there finds Joash, who upbraids her. She does not know him as an enemy, nor does he know who he really is. She seeks in vain to entrap him. Joad (Jehoiada, High Priest of the Jews) prophesies a new Jerusalem, and rouses the people to oppose the worshippers of Baal. (Here comes the War March of the Priests.) Joad tells Joash the truth about his descent, and crowns the lad king. Athaliah is slain and the temple of Baal is destroyed.