The Choral Society of Pensacola closes its season with a presentation of Mendelssohn’s popular oratorio Elijah, this weekend.
About 70 singers accompanied by an orchestra all conducted by director Xialolun Chen will perform.
“An oratorio is basically an opera performed onstage without the costumes, and the contents mostly come from the Bible,” Chen said.
The singers are especially excited because this performance of Elijah marks the end of a special season for the chorus -- its 80th year-- making the Choral Society of Pensacola one of the oldest continually operating cultural organizations in the city. Even as they finish their 80th season with the flourish that is Elijah, Director Chen looks ahead to season No. 81.
“Next year, we are looking to do something upbeat… an Americana performance… in addition to our traditional pieces,” Chen said.
The performance of Elijah is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Cokesbury United Methodist Church. For tickets, call 850.484.1806.
This article is part of a collaboration between WUWF and the UWF Center for Research and Economic Opportunity.