A trivia question: Who is the only person in the bible who doesn't die?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Phoenix Choir has been practising their various roles as starving peasants, false prophets, angry mob, Angels and true believers to bring to life one of the greatest choral works ever written, Mendelssohn's Elijah. The dramatic text tells the epic biblical tale complete with a wicked King, drought and famine, and lots of fire.
After vanquishing the false gods and the evil King, Elijah is taken by a fiery chariot to heaven.
Elijah has been a favourite work of Rowen Fox, Phoenix choir's musical director, since he studied it at university. He has long wanted to perform it with the choir and with increased membership they now have the numbers to do justice to the big choruses and the experience to tackle more intricate passages.
READ MORE:
Rowen has edited what is a monumental work into a shorter format which still tells the full story and includes the much-loved arias and choruses.
Bass soloist Timothy Nunn plays the title role of Elijah and is joined by soprano soloist Elizabeth Cooper and local singer and choirleader Lyn Phillips as alto soloist.
To deliver the 'con fuoco' (with fire) marked in the musical score, Janette Norcott (piano) combines with cellist Deb Coogan and Tim Kaye on the organ.
Phoenix Choir perform Mendelssohn's Elijah at 3pm on Sunday, November 24 at Hoskins Uniting Church, Lithgow and at 4pm on Saturday, November 30 at St Hilda's Anglican Church, Katoomba.
Tickets $28 (concession $22) are available at the door or online at phoenixchoir.org.au/tickets.