Mendelssohn ELIJAH - Victoria Philharmonic Choir

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Saturday, March 22nd, 2025
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Few oratorios reach the dramatic heights of Felix Mendelssohn's biggest choral work, with battles between rival deities and the prophet's ascent to heaven in a chariot of fire.

Celebrating the Victoria Philharmonic Choir's 20th season, and with Peter Butterfield conducting, this performance of Elijah features renowned Canadian operatic baritone Russell Braun in the title role, as well as soprano Melody Courage, mezzo-soprano Emma Parkinson and tenor Jean-Philippe Lazure!

Russell Braun has a distinguished career on leading concert, opera and recital stages around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera and the Salzburg Festival. From the Ottawa Citizen (2016): From his first commanding declaration, Braun simply was Elijah: at turns prophetic and stern, mocking and vengeful, and full of care and concern. Above all, Braun made the almost operatic story come alive.”

Métis soprano Melody Courage gained national attention as The Native Girl in the 2017 world premiere of Marie Clements' and Brian Current’s opera Missing, and in February sings the role of Rose in Pacific Opera Victoria's production of The Little Prince.

Chinese-Canadian mezzo-soprano Emma Parkinson has a growing reputation on both opera and concert stages, most recently as a soloist in the Victoria Symphony's Messiah and in February as Fox in The Little Prince.

Tenor Jean-Philippe Lazure In demand as a soloist with orchestras and choirs throughout Canada, in works by Handel, Bach and Bizet among others. His most recent work with the VPC was as a tenor soloist in Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610.

Although this production doesn't involve 400 choristers and 125 players as Mendelssohn conducted at the work's premiere in Birmingham in 1846, the composer's own genius infused with the spirit of his musical heroes Bach and Handel will make it an evening to remember. Ticket info at vpchoir.ca