Elijah (oratorio) never went out of fashion in England. Mendelssohn prepared a scholarly edition of some of Handel's oratorios for publication in London. "Elijah" is modelled on the oratorios of these two Baroque masters; however, in its lyricism and use of orchestral and choral colour the style clearly reflects Mendelssohn's own genius as an early Romantic composer. The work is scored for four vocal soloists (bass-baritone, tenor, alto, soprano), full symphony orchestra including trombones, ophicleide, organ, and a large chorus singing usually in four, but occasionally eight parts. The title role is for bass-baritone and was sung at the premiere by the
Christus. Mysterium in a Prelude and Three Oratorios following the "Christus" premiere, "The composer never intended his work to be performed on the stage. It would be contrary to his intentions...A representation in the church would always be preferable to that in the concertroom." Unlike traditional oratorio, the work contains no narrator, no Evangelist, and no recitative. Instead, a chorus of 150-200 members serves to advance the plot. Christus. Mysterium in a Prelude and Three Oratorios Christus: Ein Mysterium in einem Vorspiele und drei Oratorien is a musical composition by Felix Draeseke consisting of a prelude and three oratorios completed in September 1899. It was Felix Draeseke's most