Ex. 1-4: O Rest in the lord

No. 31 from Part II of Mendelssohn's oratorio "Elijah" (Op. 70, 1846), premiered under the composer's baton at the Birmingham Music Festival — one year before his death at age 38.

In the biblical narrative, the prophet Elijah has fled into the wilderness in despair after Queen Jezebel threatens his life. An angel appears and sings this aria to comfort him: "O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him." The text is drawn from Psalm 37.

Mendelssohn nearly cut the aria, fearing the melody too closely resembled a work by Cherubini. He was persuaded to keep it by Josef Staudigl, who sang the role of Elijah at the premiere. It went on to become the most beloved aria in the oratorio, and a particular favourite of Queen Victoria.

Track 12 from the album Songs for Sunday Worship by The Festival Choir and Hosanna Chorus (2013)
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