Felix Mendelssohn's oratorio Elijah, written in English, is one of the most thrilling large-scale works in the choral repertoire. Felix's older sister, Fanny, was also an excellent choral composer. NCS will sing newly edited, rediscovered pieces by Fanny from the Mendelssohn family archives.
Save the dates for our spring concert!
Friday, May 1 at 7:30pm & Sunday, May 3 at 4:00pm
Immaculate Conception Church
The Mendelssohn Connection:
More about the concert
This concert explores the Romantic choral work of two remarkable siblings.
Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah has long been a beloved favorite of choral groups. In fact, NCS was set to perform Elijah in the spring of 2020 when COVID shut down choral rehearsals and concerts for the following two years. It has been the wish of NCS choristers to return to this monumental piece, translated into English. It is a majestic story of faith and hope, with four soloists, chamber orchestra and a large chorus. It is the story of a prophet sent into exile for his singular belief in a Just God.
Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Felix’s older sister, was a remarkable musician and composer in her own right. However, as a woman in a traditional upper-class 19th century family, with strictly proscribed gender roles for public behavior, Fanny was prevented from publishing her work. Now, in 20th century, an intense investigation of Fanny’s work has rediscovered 500 pieces! While Fanny, like Felix, wrote oratorios, our NCS program will feature her lyrical secular pieces about springtime, love, and the joy of singing.