Felix Mendelssohn: Elijah

Mendelssohn's Elias is a masterpiece of the romantic oratorio, blending religious solemnity with lyrical and dramatic tension. Born into a prominent Jewish intellectual family and converted to Protestantism as a child, Mendelssohn explored his roots through this Old Testament subject, depicting the prophet Elijah's struggle between idolatry and monotheism. Influenced by Bach and Handel, the work features prominent choral movements, metaphysical arias, and action-filled dialogues that suggest the operatic style Mendelssohn never fully pursued. Under the direction of Daniel Harding, the Orchestre de Paris and its choir perform this opulent work alongside a distinguished cast of soloists including Liv Redpath, Svetlina Stoyanova, Andrew Staples, and Christian Gerhaher.