Editing Elijah (oratorio)

{{Short description|Oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn}}
{{Infobox musical composition
| name                = ''Elijah<br>Elias''
| type                = [[Oratorio]]
| composer            = [[Felix Mendelssohn]]
| image               = Manuscript of Mendelssohn's Oratorio 'Elijah'.jpg
| image_upright       = 1.2
| caption             = The manuscript used for the premiere, by a copyist with notes by Mendelssohn, now in the collection of the [[Library of Birmingham]]
| catalogue           = [[Mendelssohn-Werkverzeichnis|MWV]] A 25
| opus                = 70
| performed           = August 26, 1846
| text                = {{ill|Julius Schubring (theologian)|de|Julius Schubring (Theologe)|lt=Julius Schubring}}
| language            = English, German
| based_on            = Life of [[Elijah]] in biblical narration
| movements           = 42
| scoring             = {{hlist | [[Bass-baritone]], [[soprano]], [[alto]], [[tenor]] soloists | [[SATB|{{abbr|SATB|soprano, alto, tenor and bass}}]] choir | orchestra }}
}}
'''''Elijah''''' ({{langx|de|'''Elias'''}}), [[Opus number|Op.]] 70, [[Mendelssohn-Werkverzeichnis|MWV]] A 25, is an [[oratorio]] by [[Felix Mendelssohn]] depicting events in the life of the Prophet [[Elijah]] as told in the books [[1 Kings]] and [[2 Kings]] of the [[Old Testament]]. It premiered on 26 August 1846.

==Music and its style==
This piece was composed in the spirit of Mendelssohn's [[Baroque music|Baroque]] predecessors [[Johann Sebastian Bach|Bach]] and [[George Frideric Handel|Handel]], whose music he greatly admired.  In 1829 Mendelssohn had organized the first performance of Bach's ''[[St Matthew Passion]]'' since the composer's death and was instrumental in bringing this and other Bach works to widespread popularity. By contrast, Handel's oratorios never went out of fashion in England. Mendelssohn prepared a scholarly edition of some of Handel's oratorios for publication in London. ''Elijah'' is modelled on the oratorios of these two Baroque masters; however, in its lyricism and use of orchestral and choral colour the style clearly reflects Mendelssohn's own skill as an early [[Romantic music|Romantic]] composer.{{citation needed|date = February 2013}}

The work is scored for eight vocal soloists (two each of bass, tenor, alto, soprano), full symphony orchestra including 2 [[flute]]s, 2 [[oboe]]s, 2 [[clarinet]]s, 2 [[bassoon]]s, 4 [[French horn|horns]], 2 [[trumpet]]s, 3 [[trombone]]s, [[ophicleide]], [[timpani]], [[organ (music)|organ]] and strings and a large chorus usually singing in four, but occasionally eight parts. The title role was sung at the premiere by the Austrian bass [[Josef Staudigl]].<ref>Todd, R. Larry (1991). [https://books.google.com/books?id=w_VTyeUpf-4C&pg=PA304 ''Mendelssohn and His World''], p. 304. Princeton University Press</ref>

Mendelssohn had discussed an oratorio based on Elijah in the late 1830s with his friend Karl Klingemann, who had provided him with the libretto for his comic operetta ''[[Die Heimkehr aus der Fremde]]'',<ref name=Boston>[http://www.concertoperaboston.org/MW_SonAndStranger2009.html Program notes for Concert Opera Boston performance of ''Son and Stranger'', March 15, 2009, accessed November 23, 2009]</ref> which resulted in a partial text that Klingemann was unable to finish. Mendelssohn then turned to {{ill|Julius Schubring (theologian)|de|Julius Schubring (Theologe)|lt=Julius Schubring}}, the librettist for his earlier oratorio ''[[St. Paul (oratorio)|St. Paul]]'', who quickly abandoned Klingemann's work and produced his own text that combined the story of Elijah as told in the Book of Kings with [[psalms]]. In 1845, the [[Birmingham Triennial Music Festival|Birmingham Festival]] commissioned an oratorio from Mendelssohn, who worked with Schubring to put the text in final form and in 1845 and 1846 composed his oratorio to the German and English texts in parallel, taking care to change musical phrases to suit the rhythms and stresses of the translation by [[William Bartholomew (writer)|William Bartholomew]], a chemist who was also an experienced amateur poet and composer.<ref>Temperley, Nicholas (1998) ''Programme note to the complete English recording of the oratorio'' (Decca Records)</ref>

The oratorio was first performed on 26 August 1846 at Birmingham Town Hall in its English version, conducted by the composer, and it was immediately acclaimed a classic of the genre. As ''[[The Times]]'' critic wrote: 'Never was there a more complete triumph &nbsp;– never a more thorough and speedy recognition of a great work of art'.<ref>''[[The Times]]'' (anonymous critic), 27 August 1846</ref> Notwithstanding the work's triumph, Mendelssohn revised his oratorio wholesale before another group of performances in London in April 1847 &nbsp;– one (23 April) in the presence of [[Queen Victoria]] and [[Albert, Prince Consort|Prince Albert]]. The German version was first performed on the composer's birthday, 3 February 1848, in [[Leipzig]], a few months after Mendelssohn's death, under the baton of the composer [[Niels Gade]].

==Biblical narrative==
[[File:Andrea di Bonaiuto - Madonna and Child with Saints (detail) - WGA00311.jpg|thumb|upright|The oratorio depicts events in the life of the prophet Elijah]]
Mendelssohn uses biblical episodes relating to [[Elijah]], which in the original, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=17|verse=19}} and {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=2 Kings|chapter=2|verse=1}}, are narrated in rather laconic form, to produce intensely dramatic scenes, while adding several related biblical texts, mostly taken from the [[Old Testament]]. These were doubtless well fitted to the taste of Mendelssohn's time, and a Victorian sentimentality also seems detectable in places.

Among the episodes is the [[resurrection]] of a dead youth. A dramatic episode is the contest of the gods, in which [[Jehovah]] consumes an offered sacrifice in a column of fire, while a sequence of increasingly frantic prayers by the prophets of the god [[Baal]] failed. Part I is concluded by the bringing of rain to parched Israel through Elijah's prayers. Part II depicts the persecution of Elijah by [[Jezebel|Queen Jezebel]], his retirement to the desert, his vision of God appearing, his return to his work, and his [[entering heaven alive|ascension on a fiery chariot into heaven]]. The work ends with prophecies and praise.

== Structure ==
The work in two parts opens with a declamation by Elijah, after which the overture is played. The sections are listed in the following table, with the text in both German and English, a biblical source for the passage (the dramatic action highlighted by a background colour), and the voices. The choir is mostly four-part [[SATB]], but up to eight parts. The soloists are Elijah (baritone); soprano (S), singing the Widow, the Youth (sometimes taken by a boy treble) and Angel II; alto (A), singing Angel I and the Queen; and tenor (T), singing the parts of [[Obadiah (1 Kings)|Obadiah]] and [[Ahab]]. The work is often performed with four soloists.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schwarm|first1=Betsy|title=Elijah, Op. 70|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Elijah-by-Mendelssohn|website=Encyclopaedia Britannica|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=November 2022}}

Some movements are simple oratorio forms such as [[recitative]] and [[aria]], others explore hybrid combinations, such as recitative with choir, for dramatic effect. The fugal overture leads [[attacca]] to the first choral movement. The choir acts as the people ("Das Volk"), but also comments, like the choir in [[Greek drama]]. The narrative passages from the books of Kings are highlighted by green background.

{{-}}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Movements of Part I of Mendelssohn's ''Elijah''
|-
! scope="col" | No.
! scope="col" | Description
! scope="col" | [[Incipit]]
! scope="col" | Translation
! scope="col" | Text source
! scope="col" | Voices
<!--! scope="col" | Marking
! scope="col" | Key
! scope="col" | Time -->
|- id = Introduction
| || Introduction || ''{{lang|de|So wahr der Herr, der Gott Israels lebet}}'' || As God the Lord of Israel liveth || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=17|verse=1}}
|| Elijah <!--|| Grave || [[D minor]] || {{music|common-time}} -->
|- id = Overture
| || Overture ||  ||  ||  || <!-- [[G major]] || {{music|common-time}} -->
|- id = 1
| style="text-align: center;" | 1 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Hilf, Herr!}}'' || Help, Lord! || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Jeremiah|chapter=8|verse=20}} & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Lamentations|chapter=4|verse=4}} || SATB
|- id = 2
| style="text-align: center;" | 2 || Duet with choir || ''{{lang|de|Herr, höre unser Gebet!}}'' || Lord! bow thine ear to our prayer! || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=2 Kings|chapter=19|verse=16}} & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Lamentations|chapter=1|verse=17}} || S  S  SATB 
|- id = 3
| style="text-align: center;" | 3 || Recitative || ''{{lang|de|Zerreißet eure Herzen}}'' || Ye people, rend your hearts || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Joel|chapter=2|verse=12|range=-13}} || Obadiah
|- id = 4
| style="text-align: center;" | 4 || Aria || ''{{lang|de|So ihr mich von ganzem Herzen suchet}}'' || If with all your hearts || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Deuteronomy|chapter=4|verse=29}} & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Job|chapter=23|verse=3}} || Obadiah
|- id = 5
| style="text-align: center;" | 5 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Aber der Herr sieht es nicht}}'' || Yet doth the Lord see it not || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Exodus|chapter=20|verse=5|range=-6}} ||  SATB
|- id = 6
| style="text-align: center;" | 6 || Recitative || ''{{lang|de|Elias, gehe von hinnen}}'' || Elijah! get thee hence || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=17|verse=3|range=-4}} || Angel I
|- id = 7
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 7 || Octet || ''{{lang|de|[[Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen]]}}'' || For he shall give his angels || [[Psalm 91]]:11-12 || Angels: SSAATTBB
|- 
| Recitative || ''{{lang|de|Nun auch der Bach vertrocknet ist}}'' || Now Cherith's brook is dried up || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=17|verse=7}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=17|verse=9}}, & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=17|verse=14}} || Angel I
|- id = 8
| style="text-align: center;" | 8 || Recitative, aria and duet || ''{{lang|de|Was hast du mir getan}}'' || What have I to do with thee? || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=17|verse=17|range=-24}}, [[Psalm 38]]:6, [[Psalm 86]]:15, [[Psalm 88]]:10 & [[Psalm 128]]:1 || Widow, Elijah
|- id = 9
| style="text-align: center;" | 9 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Wohl dem, der den Herrn fürchtet}}'' || Blessed are the men who fear him || [[Psalm 128]]:1, [[Psalm 112]]:1,4 || SATB
|- id = 10
| style="text-align: center;" | 10 || Recitative with choir || ''{{lang|de|So wahr der Herr Zebaoth lebet}}'' || As God the Lord of Sabaoth liveth || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=18|verse=15}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=18|verse=17|range=-19}}, & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=18|verse=23|range=-25}} || Elijah, Ahab, SATB
|- id = 11
| style="text-align: center;" | 11 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Baal erhöre uns!}}'' || Baal, we cry to thee; hear and answer us! || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=18|verse=26}} || SSAATTBB
|- id = 12
| style="text-align: center;" | 12 || Recitative with choir || ''{{lang|de|Rufet lauter! Denn er ist ja Gott!}}'' || Call him louder, for he is a god! || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=18|verse=27}} || Elijah, SATB
|- id = 13
| style="text-align: center;" | 13 || Recitative with choir || ''{{lang|de|Rufet lauter! Er hört euch nicht.}}'' || Call him louder! he heareth not! || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=18|verse=28}} || Elijah, SATB
|- id = 14
| style="text-align: center;" | 14 || Aria || ''{{lang|de|Herr, Gott Abrahams, Isaaks und Israels}}'' || Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel! || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=18|verse=36|range=-37}} || Elijah, SATB
|- id = 15
| style="text-align: center;" | 15 || Quartet || ''{{lang|de|Wirf dein Anliegen auf den Herrn}}'' || Cast thy burden upon the Lord || [[Psalm 55]]:22, [[Psalm 16]]:8, [[Psalm 108]]:5, & [[Psalm 25]]:3 || S A T B
|- id = 16
| style="text-align: center;" | 16 || Recitative with choir || ''{{lang|de|Der du deine Diener machst zu Geistern}}'' || O thou, who makest thine angels spirits (The fire descends) || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=18|verse=38|range=-40}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Deuteronomy|chapter=6|verse=4}} || Elijah, SATB
|- id = 17
| style="text-align: center;" | 17 || Aria || ''{{lang|de|Ist nicht des Herrn Wort wie ein Feuer}}'' || Is not his word like a fire? || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Jeremiah|chapter=23|verse=29}} & [[Psalm 7]]:11-12 || Elijah
|- id = 18
| style="text-align: center;" | 18 || Arioso || ''{{lang|de|Weh ihnen, dass sie von mir weichen!}}'' || Woe unto them who forsake him! || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Hosea|chapter=7|verse=13}}  || A
|- id = 19
| style="text-align: center;" | 19 || Recitative with choir || ''{{lang|de|Hilf deinem Volk, du Mann Gottes!}}'' || O man of God, help thy people! || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=18|verse=43|range=-45}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Jeremiah|chapter=14|verse=22}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=2 Chronicles|chapter=6|verse=19}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Deuteronomy|chapter=28|verse=23}}, & [[Psalm 28]]:1 ||  Obadiah, Elijah, SATB, Youth
|- id = 20
<!--
| style="text-align: center;" | 19a || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|O Herr, du hast nun deine Feinde verworfen}}'' || O Lord, thou hast overthrown thine enemies || Elijah, SATB
|- -->
| style="text-align: center;" | 20 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Dank sei dir, Gott}}'' || Thanks be to God || [[Psalm 93]]:3-4  || SATB
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Movements of Part II of Mendelssohn's ''Elijah''
|-
! scope="col" | No.
! scope="col" | Description
! scope="col" | Incipit
! scope="col" | Translation
! scope="col" | Source
! scope="col" | Voices
<!--! scope="col" | Marking
! scope="col" | Key
! scope="col" | Time -->
|- id = 21
| style="text-align: center;" | 21 || Aria || ''{{lang|de|Höre, Israel}}'' || Hear ye, Israel! || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Deuteronomy|chapter=6|verse=4}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=41|verse=10}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=48|verse=1,18}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=49|verse=7}},  {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=51|verse=12|range=-13}}, & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=53|verse=1}} || S
|- id = 22
| style="text-align: center;" | 22 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Fürchte dich nicht, spricht unser Gott}}'' || Be not afraid, saith God the Lord ||  {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=41|verse=10}} & [[Psalm 91]]:7 || SATB
|- id = 23
| style="text-align: center;" | 23 || Recitative with choir || ''{{lang|de|Der Herr hat dich erhoben}}'' || The Lord hath exalted thee || style="background: #E3F6CE;" |  {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=14|verse=7}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=14|verse=9}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=14|verse=15}}, & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=16|verse=30|range=-33}} || Elijah, Queen, SATB
|- id = 24
| style="text-align: center;" | 24 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Wehe ihm, er muss sterben!}}'' || Woe to him, he shall perish || style="background: #E3F6CE;" |  {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=19|verse=2}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=21|verse=7}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Jeremiah|chapter=26|verse=9,11}}, & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Ecclesiasticus|chapter=48|verse=2|range=-3}}    || SATB
|- id = 25
| style="text-align: center;" | 25 || Recitative || ''{{lang|de|Du Mann Gottes, laß meine Rede}}'' || Man of God, now let my words || style="background: #E3F6CE;" |  {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=2 Kings|chapter=1|verse=13}},   {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Jeremiah|chapter=5|verse=3}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Jeremiah|chapter=26|verse=11}}, [[Psalm 59]]:3, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=19|verse=4}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Deuteronomy|chapter=31|verse=6}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Exodus|chapter=12|verse=32}}, & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Samuel|chapter=17|verse=37}} || Obadiah, Elijah
|- id = 26
| style="text-align: center;" | 26 || Aria || ''{{lang|de|Es ist genug, so nimm nun, Herr, meine Seele}}'' || It is enough, O Lord now take away my life || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=19|verse=4}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=19|verse=10}}, & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Job|chapter=7|verse=16}} || Elijah
|- id = 27
| style="text-align: center;" | 27 || Recitative || ''{{lang|de|Siehe, er schläft}}'' || See, now he sleepeth || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=19|verse=5}} & [[Psalm 34]]:7 ||  Unnamed Tenor
|- id = 28
| style="text-align: center;" | 28 || Trio || ''{{lang|de|Hebe deine Augen auf zu den Bergen}}'' || Lift thine eyes || [[Psalm 121]]:1-3 ||  Angels: S  S A
|- id = 29
| style="text-align: center;" | 29 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Siehe, der Hüter Israels schläft noch schlummert nicht}}'' || He, watching over Israel, slumbers not || [[Psalm 121]]:4 & [[Psalm 138]]:7 || SATB
|- id = 30
| style="text-align: center;" | 30 || Recitative || ''{{lang|de|Stehe auf, Elias, denn du hast einen großen Weg vor dir}}'' || Arise, Elijah, for thou hast a long journey || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=19|verse=7|range=-8}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=49|verse=4}}, & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=64|verse=1|range=-2}} || Angel I, Elijah
|- id = 31
| style="text-align: center;" | 31 || Aria || ''{{lang|de|Sei stille dem Herrn}}'' || O rest in the Lord ||  [[Psalm 37]]:1,7 || Angel I: Alto
|- id = 32
| style="text-align: center;" | 32 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|[[Wer bis an das Ende beharrt|Wer bis an das Ende beharrt, der wird selig.]]}}'' || He that shall endure to the end, shall be saved. || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Matthew|chapter=10|verse=22}} {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Matthew|chapter=24|verse=13}} ||  SATB
|- id = 33
| style="text-align: center;" | 33 || Recitative || ''{{lang|de|Herr, es wird Nacht um mich}}'' || Night falleth round me, O Lord! || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=19|verse=11|range=-25}} & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=19|verse=11}}|| Elijah, Angel II
|- id = 34
| style="text-align: center;" | 34 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Der Herr ging vorüber}}'' || Behold! God the Lord passeth by! || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=19|verse=11|range=-12}} || SATB
|- id = 35
| style="text-align: center;" | 35 || Quartet with choir || ''{{lang|de|Seraphim standen über ihm; Heilig ist Gott der Herr}}'' || Above him stood the Seraphim; Holy is God the Lord || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=6|verse=2|range=-3}} || A; S S A A SATB
|- id = 36
| style="text-align: center;" | 36 || Choir and recitative || ''{{lang|de|Gehe wiederum hinab! Ich gehe hinab}}'' || Go, return upon thy way! I go on my way || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=1 Kings|chapter=19|verse=15|range=-18}}, [[Psalm 71]]:16, [[Psalm 16]]:2,9 || SSATTBB, Elijah
|- id = 37
| style="text-align: center;" | 37 || Arioso || ''{{lang|de|Ja, es sollen wohl die Berge weichen}}'' || For the mountains shall depart || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=54|verse=10}} || Elijah
|- id = 38
| style="text-align: center;" | 38 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Und der Prophet Elias brach hervor}}'' || Then did Elijah the prophet break forth || style="background: #E3F6CE;" | {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=2 Kings|chapter=2|verse=1}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=2 Kings|chapter=2|verse=11}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Ecclesiasticus|chapter=48|verse=1}}, & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Ecclesiasticus|chapter=48|verse=6|range=-7}} || SATB
|- id = 39
| style="text-align: center;" | 39 || Aria || ''{{lang|de|Dann werden die Gerechten leuchten}}'' || Then shall the righteous shine forth || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Matthew|chapter=13|verse=43}} & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=51|verse=11}} || T
|- id = 40
| style="text-align: center;" | 40 || Recitative || ''{{lang|de|Darum ward gesendet der Prophet Elias}}'' || Behold, God hath sent Elijah || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Malachi|chapter=4|verse=5|range=-6}} || S
|- id = 41
| style="text-align: center;" | 41 || Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Aber einer erwacht von Mitternacht}}'' || But the Lord, from the north hath raised one || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=41|verse=25}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=42|verse=1}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=11|verse=2}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=41|verse=25}}, {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=42|verse=1}}, & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=11|verse=2}} || SSAATTBB 
|- | Quartet || ''{{lang|de|Wohlan, alle, die ihr durstig seid}}'' || O come everyone that thirsteth || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=55|verse=1}} & {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=55|verse=3}}  || S A T B
|- id = 42
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 42 || rowspan="2" |Chorus || ''{{lang|de|Alsdann wird euer Licht hervorbrechen}}'' || And then shall your light break forth || {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=58|verse=8}} {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=63|verse=8}} || SATB
|-
| ''{{lang|de|Herr, unser Herrscher}}'' || Lord, our Creator || [[Psalm 8]]:1 ||  SATB
|-
|}

==Reception==
[[File:Birmingham Town Hall from Chamberlain Square.jpg|thumb|[[Birmingham Town Hall]], where ''Elijah'' premiered]]''Elijah'' was popular at its premiere and has been frequently performed, particularly in English-speaking countries, ever since. It is a particular favourite of amateur choral societies. Its melodrama, easy appeal and stirring choruses have provided the basis for countless successful performances. Prince Albert inscribed a libretto for the oratorio ''Elijah'' in 1847: "To the noble artist who, surrounded by the Baal-worship of false art, has been able, like a second Elijah, through genius and study, to remain true to the service of true art."<ref>Peter Mercer-Taylor, ''The Life of Mendelssohn'' (Cambridge University Press, 2000), 200</ref> A number of critics later treated the work harshly, however, emphasizing its conventional outlook and undaring musical style. [[George Bernard Shaw|Bernard Shaw]] wrote in 1892:
:I sat out the performance on Wednesday to the last note, an act of professional devotion which was no part of my plan for the evening ... You have only to think of ''[[Parsifal]]'', of the [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|Ninth Symphony]], of ''[[The Magic Flute|Die Zauberflöte]]'', of the inspired moments of Bach and Handel, to see the great gulf that lies between the true religious sentiment and our delight in Mendelssohn's exquisite prettiness.<ref>[[George Bernard Shaw|Bernard Shaw]] in ''[[The World (journal)|The World]]'', 11 May 1892</ref> 

Similarly, after Boston's [[Handel and Haydn Society]] presented the work for the first time in February 1848, its success resulted in eight more performances that spring. In the mid-1920s, however, [[Henry Taylor Parker|H.T. Parker]], the city's principal music critic, described how members of the audience gazed upward at a recent performance: "How many of those eyes were there in rapture, or were counting the four dead lights in the central sunburst of the ceiling?.... ''Elijah'' is hopelessly, awfully, irremediably mid-Victorian.<ref>Teresa M. Neff and Jan Swafford, eds., ''The Handel and Haydn Society: Bringing Music to Life for 200 Years'' (Jaffrey, NH: David R. Godine, 2014), pp. 63, 161</ref>

However, with the widespread re-evaluation of Mendelssohn’s work in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, these critical opinions have largely changed. In his definitive biography of the composer, the musicologist R. Larry Todd wrote that “the oratorio was the crowning achievement of Felix’s career”.<ref>Todd, R. Larry, ''Mendelssohn, A Life in Music'' (Oxford University Press, 2003), p. 548</ref> And in 2005 critic and musicologist Michael Steinberg described ''Elijah'' as “thrilling to sing” and noted that it “includes some of Mendelssohn’s finest music”.<ref>Steinberg, Michael, ''Choral Masterworks, A Listener's Guide'' (Oxford University Press, 2005), p.235</ref>

Mendelssohn wrote the [[soprano]] part in ''Elijah'' for the 'Swedish Nightingale', [[Jenny Lind]], although she was unavailable to sing the Birmingham premiere. In her place, the part was created by [[Maria Caterina Rosalbina Caradori-Allan]]. Lind was devastated by the composer's premature death in 1847.  She did not feel able to sing the part for a year afterwards. She resumed singing the piece at [[Exeter Hall]] in London in late 1848, raising £1,000 to fund a scholarship in his name.  After [[Arthur Sullivan]] became the first recipient of the [[Mendelssohn Scholarship]], she encouraged him in his career.<ref>Rosen, Carole. [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/16671 "Lind, Jenny (1820–1887)"], ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004, accessed 7 Dec 2008</ref>

[[Charles Kensington Salaman|Charles Salaman]] adapted "He that Shall Endure to the End" from ''Elijah'' as a setting for [[Psalm 93]] (Adonai Malakh), sung on most Friday nights at the sabbath-eve service of the London [[Spanish and Portuguese Jews|Spanish & Portuguese Jewish]] community.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adonai Malach (Mendelssohn) - Sabbath Evening service |url=https://www.sephardi.org.uk/community/sephardi-music/london-sephardi-congregational-melodies/sabbath-evening-service/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=The S+P Sephardi Community}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{cc}}
* {{IMSLP2|work=Elijah, Op.70 (Mendelssohn, Felix)|cname=Elijah, Op. 70}}
* Free scores of [[choralwiki:Elijah, Op. 70 (Felix Mendelssohn)|this work]] in the [[Choral Public Domain Library|Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100312090031/http://www.coker.edu/Elijah/text.htm Full-text English-language libretto]
* [http://www.evv.ch/ecouter-levv/extraits-mp3/extraits-cd-elias-avent-2011.html Three short musical excerpts from Elijah by a Swiss choir] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228000856/http://www.evv.ch/ecouter-levv/extraits-mp3/extraits-cd-elias-avent-2011.html |date=2017-12-28 }}
* [http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38223 The History of Mendelssohn's Oratorio "Elijah"] (1896)
*[https://jewishstudies.clas.asu.edu/sites/default/files/mendelssohn-program.pdf Conference program with abstracts: "Viewing Mendelssohn, Viewing Elijah"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203034620/https://jewishstudies.clas.asu.edu/sites/default/files/mendelssohn-program.pdf |date=2019-12-03 }},

{{Felix Mendelssohn}}
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[[Category:Oratorios by Felix Mendelssohn]]
[[Category:Elijah]]
[[Category:Oratorios based on the Bible]]
[[Category:German-language oratorios]]
[[Category:Music for orchestra and organ]]
[[Category:1846 oratorios]]
[[Category:Baal]]
[[Category:Jezebel]]