Oratorio by choir

Press, 22 October 1986, Page 23

Oratorio by choir

The Christchurch Harmonic Choir will perform Mendelssohn’s oratorio “Elijah” in the Christchurch Town Hall on Saturday, November 1. The choir will be accompanied by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the conductor for the performance will be David Childs. For many years this oratorio was regarded as second only to Handel’s “Messiah” in popularity as a large choral work. The oratorio is very romantic in style and features dramatic choruses such as “He Watching Over Israel” and beautiful melodies in the airs such as “0 Rest in the Lord.” The oratorio also includes

the trio, “Lift Thine Eyes.” The Harmonic Choir has performed “Elijah” eight times before, most recently in 1978. The soloists for the performance will be Wendy Dixon (soprano), Judy Bellingham (mezzo soprano), Anthony Benfell (tenor), Roger Wilson (bass) and Nicholas Manders (boy soprano). Wendy Dixon is well known to audiences throughout New Zealand and is one of this country’s leading soloists. She has performed as a soloist with the Harmonic Choir many times. The mezzo soprano soloist, Judy Bellingham is well known to Christ-

church audiences. Most recently Christchurch audiences saw her as one of the three ladies in waiting on the Queen of the Night in “The Magic Flute.” Anthony Benfell, too, is well known throughout New Zealand, both on the concert platform and also from televised appearances in opera and shows.' He has sung many times in the past with the Harmonic Choir, including the Choir’s last performance of “Elijah” in 1978. The bass soloist, Roger Wilson has also sung as a soloist with Christchurch choirs. Last year he was a soloist in the Harmonic Choir’s performance of “Judas Maccabeus.”