WWU Concert Choir and the Bellingham Chamber Chorale to perform Mendelssohn's 'Elijah' April 30

Western Washington University’s Concert Choir will join the Bellingham Chamber Chorale (BCC) and the BCC community orchestra for a performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 30 in the WWU Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.

“Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’ is a tour-de-force, equivalent to Handel’s ‘Messiah’ but with more expansive choruses, a larger orchestra, and a more compelling dramatic narrative,” said Timothy Fitzpatrick, WWU assistant professor of Choral Music/Vocal Education and also the founder and artistic director of the Bellingham Chamber Chorale. “It has never been performed in the Bellingham community,” Fitzpatrick said.

The work is scored for four vocal soloists, a full symphony orchestra, and a large chorus. The major role of Elijah is taken by WWU Associate Professor of Music David Meyer as baritone soloist; other WWU faculty soloists include Katie Weld, mezzo soprano and Amber Bone, soprano. Seattle area artist Ross Hauck joins as tenor.

Written by Felix Mendelssohn in 1846 for the Birmingham Festival, the oratorio depicts events in the life of the Old Testament prophet Elijah. Composed in the spirit of Bach and Handel, Mendelssohn modeled “Elijah” on the oratorios of these two Baroque masters. In its lyricism and use of orchestral and choral color, “Elijah” exhibits Mendelssohn's stylistic genius as an early Romantic composer. Mendelssohn set the work in German; however, the performance will feature an English translation.

Tickets for the performance are available through the WWU Box Office and cost $15 for adults; $12 for seniors, WWU faculty and staff; and $8 for students with a valid ID. Individual tickets may be purchased at the WWU Box Office (360) 650-6146, http://www.tickets.wwu.edu, Village Books, The Food Coop, or Piper Music.

WWU Box Office hours are from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and one hour prior to the performance. For disability accommodations, contact the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146.

For additional information, please call (360) 738-8982 or visit http://bccsings.org/.