ELIJAH
Mendelssohn's Elijah
Felix Mendelssohn's dramatic musical masterpiece takes us inside the life of Elijah, a commanding prophetic figure believed to have lived around 900BC.
Living in a world of violence between conflicting belief systems, in which catastrophic climate change has been brought about by human activity, it's one man against a hostile state.
Against huge odds, Elijah's Herculean efforts, however triumphant, seem eventually to have come to nothing, and in despair Elijah asks his God to "take away my life".
But that is not to be. There is much more to be done, and after time for recovery and renewal, "then did Elijah the Prophet break forth like a fire!".
On Saturday 3rd October, conductor Leslie Olive directs the English Arts Chorale and Orchestra in a performance in the wonderful acoustic of Reigate’s St Mary's Church. The fully professional orchestra is drawn from London’s leading ensembles.
The EAC welcomes back Mark Saberton in the eponymous role of Elijah, with tenor James Micklethwaite taking the part of Obadiah. The cast of soloists is completed by Katherine Gregory as the Widow of Zarephath and Ruby Bak as the Angel.
Tickets for this memorable performance are set at £32, £27 and £22 (full-time students & under-25s £9). As usual, there is no charge for essential carers accompanying the disabled.
'Hint of Theatre' by Tim Welton & Sidonie Welton
Soloists
Mark Saberton as Elijah
Katherine Gregory as the Widow of Zarephath
Ruby Bak as the Angel
James Micklethwaite as Obadiah and King Ahab
Mark Saberton, baritone (ELIJAH)
From performing in The Marriage of Figaro at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, (where he will shortly return in the role of Antonio), Mark Saberton (Elijah) kindly takes time out to sing the title role in our ELIJAH. Mark's performance as Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Longborough Festival prompted critic Michael Kennedy to describe Mark as "easily the most dominant" portrayal. As well as the Royal Opera, Mark has sung with English National Opera, Opera North, Scottish Opera, Garsington, Longborough, Holland Park, Mid Wales Opera and Savoy Opera.
Katherine Gregory, soprano
Having made her solo debut with the Bach Choir and the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall at the age of just 20, Katherine Gregory has become one of the UK's most sought-after young sopranos. Katherine studied theology and philosophy at Cambridge, and sang with Trinity College Choir. This season, as well as singing for us in Reigate, Katherine sings Mendelssohn's Elijah in Lincoln and Arundel Cathedrals, the Verdi Requiem in Truro, and the role of Mimi in Puccini's La Boheme with the Westminster Opera Company.
Ruby Bak, mezzo soprano
Ruby Bak is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, where she was an ABRSM Scholar. Experienced in oratorio, she has sung works by composers including Rachmaninov, Elgar, Bach, and Handel, and as soloist in the English Chamber Otchestra's premiere of Holst's The Cloud Messenger. Her operatic roles include Carmen, Fox (The Cunning Little Vixen), Miss Jessel (The Turn of the Screw), L'Enfant, and Hansel. She previously studied at King's College London, and performed at major venues including St Paul's Cathedral and St John's Smith Square.
James Micklethwaite, tenor
James Micklethwaite is a graduate of the Royal College of Music, also of King's College Cambridge, and is a Garsington Opera Emerging Artist. He also performs regularly with leading ensembles including the Monteverdi Choir, the BBC Singers, Polyphony and the Dunedin Consort, and as a tenor soloist for the Really Big Chorus' Messiah from Scratch at the Royal Albert Hall. James firts sang for Leslie Olive and the EnglishArts Chorale in the role of Jesus in Bach's St Matthew Passion in Chichester Cathedral in 2025 to immense acclaim.