'Elijah' to finish Bach Festival Society 80th season

Bach Festival Society of Winter Park Artistic Director John V. Sinclair is pleased to announce two performances of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” on April 25 and 26 at Knowles Memorial Chapel in Winter Park. The performances will be the final program in the Society’s continuing celebration of 80 years of bringing world-class music to Winter Park.

With its Old Testament story (earthquake, fire, and the “still small voice”) and its massive choral conception, “Elijah” is Mendelssohn’s take on the English oratorios of Handel. In the more reflective moments you can also hear the influence of Bach. And the result is a picture of a ‘grand and mighty prophet...borne on the wings of angels’. In 1829 Mendelssohn had organized the first performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion since the composer’s death and was instrumental in bringing this and other Bach works to widespread popularity.

Four noted soloists join the Bach Festival Choir, Youth Choir, and Orchestra under the baton of Dr. John V. Sinclair for these performances. Soprano Mary Wilson, mezzo-soprano Rebecca Ringle, tenor Robert Bracey and baritone Richard Zeller all of whom have wide-ranging careers singing chamber music, oratorio and operatic repertoire with top-tier symphonies, opera companies and festivals throughout the country and internationally.

The auditioned all-volunteer Bach Festival Choir is the nucleus of the Bach Festival Society, with a membership of over 160 singers from all walks of life who share a love of great music. Many members of the Choir have music degrees or advanced musical training, serve as educators in the Central Florida area, or maintain active schedules as soloists in churches and other venues throughout the community.

Tickets range from $25 to $60; $10 tickets for students can be purchased at the door, subject to availability.

Knowles Memorial Chapel is located on the campus of Rollins College, 1000 Holt Avenue, in Winter Park.

This program is sponsored through a generous grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation.