ELIAS - Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

Considered an important contribution to the musical reception of biblical material in the Romantic era, the work is one of the central compositions of the German-language oratorio tradition of the 19th century.


The dramatic structure of the oratorio, its emotional directness, and its operatic staging make Elijah a pivotal piece of work that bridges the gap between liturgical form and musical narrative theatre.


Mendelssohn's work reflects the musical and religious self-image of his time, and Elijah addresses central themes such as faith, doubt, power, and prophetic action. The performance at the Erlöserkirche provides an ideal opportunity to reflect on the work within its historical and social context.