Sioux County Oratorio Chorus to present Elijah

The Sioux County Oratorio Chorus will perform Mendelssohn’s Elijah on Saturday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel. The chorus, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Holm, will be joined by Northwestern College’s A cappella Choir, a chamber orchestra and four professional soloists: soprano Shannon Salyards of Sioux City, Iowa; contralto Emily Lodine of Magnolia, Minn.; tenor Jeffrey Brich of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and bass Stephen Swanson of Iowa City, Iowa.

Mendelssohn’s Elijah is hailed as one of the greatest oratorios of all time. The story describes the great battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel and encompasses Elijah’s spiritual journey from discouragement to trust. Mendelssohn composed the piece with enormous dramatic power, with chorus members transforming from the chanting prophets of Baal to the tender voices of consolation that encourage a distraught Elijah.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students when purchased in advance from Northwestern College’s music department, Dove Christian Book Store in Orange City, Touch of Hope Book Store in Sheldon or True Vine Christian Book Store in Sioux Center. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students at the door.