Page:The history of Mendelssohn's oratorio 'Elijah'.djvu/101

 THE FIRST PERFORMANCE.

��whilst the sun, emerging at that moment, seemed to illumine the vast edifice in honour of the bright and pure being who stood there the idol of all beholders."

The new oratorio was received with extraordinary enthusiasm, and the composer's expectations of his work were more than realised. The Times said : "The last note of * Elijah ' was drowned in a long- continued unanimous volley of plaudits, vociferous and deafening. It was as though enthusiasm, long- checked, had suddenly burst its bonds and filled the air with shouts of exultation. Mendelssohn, evi- dently overpowered, bowed his acknowledgments, and quickly descended from his position in the conductor's rostrum ; but he was compelled to appear again, amidst renewed cheers and huzzas. Never was there a more complete triumph — never a more thorough and speedy recognition of a great work of art."

Eight numbers were encored : " If with all your hearts," " Baal, we cry to thee," " Regard Thy servant's prayer" (now "Cast thy burden"), "Thanks be to God," "He, watching over Israel," " O rest in the Lord," " For the mountains shall depart," and "0 1 every one that thirsteth." Herr Staudigl gave a majestic and ideal rendering of the music of the Prophet. In the opinion of the late Mr. Stimpson, who spoke from forty years' experience of the Birmingham Festivals, Staudigl's interpretation of the bass part has never yet been equalled. The junior tenor of the Festival, Mr. Charles Lockey, fairly won his laurels. He sang his ( 83 )

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