Page:The history of Mendelssohn's oratorio 'Elijah'.djvu/22

 HISTORY OF ^fENDELSSOHN'S "ELIJAH."

soon, especially as I see no chance of bein^ able to compose an opera. Perhaps this is as well, for it seems to me as if all the German theatres were at the present moment in such bad condition, that one cannot reckon on a good performance anywhere, and therefore there may yet be a few years' time before me, and I may do it all the better then ; for that I must write operas is an idea I cannot give up. The choral societies, on the other hand, are just now good, and long for new music ; and I should like to give them something that would please me better than my ' St. Paul ' does. Do help me to this, and send me a new oratorio * text.' "

In the autumn of his marriage year, Mendelssohn paid his fifth visit to England, in fulfilment of an engagement to conduct his * St. Paul ' at the Bir- mingham Musical Festival of 1837, at which he also played the pianoforte and organ. He stayed (in London) at Klingemann's, 4, Hobart Place, Eaton Square. The house, which still stands, is opposite St. Peter's Church. During this visit Mendelssohn spent two whole mornings with his host on the " plan " of an oratorio of " Elijah." This " plan," or " sketch," was left with Klingemann for him to develop and to put "into verse." A few months afterwards he received the following letter : —

[Mendelssohn to Klingemann.]

Leipzig, January 9, 1838.

"... Over all this chatting I am forgetting a very important affair. I received last week by post a parcel (which cost me nearly los. for postage), ( 6 )

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