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
Paul Cooper (composer) Paul Cooper (composer) Paul Cooper (May 19, 1926 – April 4, 1996) was an American composer and teacher of classical music. Born in Victoria, Illinois, he received degrees from the University of Southern California, where his teachers included Ernest Kanitz, Halsey Stevens, and Roger Sessions. He also studied with Nadia Boulanger as a Fulbright Fellow from 1953-1954. Cooper taught at the University of Michigan School of Music and the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music prior to joining the Rice University Shepherd School of Music as a founding member in 1974. He remained there until his death in 1996,