Oratorio with operatic allure
What his time needed, Mendelssohn believed in 1838, was a prophet of truth who was strong and active, but also fierce and severe. Someone like the prophet Elias, in other words, whose life story he reworked into an impressive oratorio with operatic allure. His Old Testament masterpiece about greed and egoism as a time bomb in the heart of society is still burningly topical. Philippe Herreweghe clears the lines from Mendelssohn's splendid chorus and is assisted by a host of top soloists.
Programme
Mendelssohn Elias, opus 70
Performers
Collegium Vocale Gent
choir
David Soar
bass
Maximilian Schmitt
tenor
Carolyn Sampson
soprano
Stefanie Irányi
alto