A musical masterpiece: Mendelssohn's Elias in Millstatt!

A musical masterpiece: Mendelssohn's Elias in Millstatt!

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, a major musical event will take place in the Millstatt collegiate church: the performance of Felix Mendelssohn's oratorio "Elias". This event promises to offer both dramatic and emotional highlights and is part of the cultural offer in Carinthia. According to Klick Carinthia , around 100 participants, including the Carinthian State Youth Choir and the Camerata Sinfonica Austria, will appear together. The concert begins at 4:00 p.m. Admission is free, but voluntary donations are welcome to support the performance.

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, whose work "Elias" claims more than 60 minutes and requires a complex orchestral occupation, was born in a wealthy Jewish family in Hamburg in 1809. Mendelssohn was a pioneer of romantic music and one of the first conductors who conducted the baton. He is often associated with the revival of Johann Sebastian Bach's music, especially with his leadership of the Matthew Passion in 1829, which was the first performance since Bach's death. Mendelssohn died on November 4, 1847 at the age of 38 before he was able to experience most of his planned performances, including the "Elias" performances that were only successful after his death.

The key figures and details of the "Elias"

Mendelssohn's “Elias”, which is considered one of his most important compositions in the musical world, was first premiered on August 26, 1846 at the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival. The work addresses the conflict between monotheism, embodied by the prophet Elias, and the Baalskult, which is presented in the first part. The second part is devoted to the resignation of the Elias and his theophany and Ascension. The original version includes a bass for the role of Elias and a tenor for Obadjah. A boy's voice and up to eight solo voices are also required for the performance.

The oratorio is characterized by "thick, strong, full choirs", which represent the people of Israel as well as the BaalSpriester and the Seraphim. These elements reflect the strengthened singing clubs in the 19th century, who have taken into account a growing interest in choral music for years and experienced a new blossom through Mendelssohn's compositions.

reception and inheritance

Although the work was subject to a performance ban during National Socialism and its reception in Germany was rather cool, "Elias" experienced a slow return to concert after the Second World War. Today the oratorio is an integral part of musical life, especially with amateur ensembles. Mendelssohn's influence on music can still be felt today and is recognized by numerous memorial sites and honors in cities such as Berlin and Frankfurt.

The performance in the Millstatt collegiate church will offer an exciting opportunity to experience the outstanding musical qualities of Mendelssohn's “Elias” and to further deepen the cultural connection of the region to classical music.
For more information about the oratorium itself, the articles on Wikipedia and to the person of Mendelssohns on wikipedia .