Ex. 1-4: O Rest in the lord

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

In the Bible, the prophet Elijah runs away into the desert after Queen Jezebel tries to kill him. An angel appears and sings this aria to comfort him: "O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him."

Mendelssohn nearly cut the aria, fearing the melody too closely resembled a work by the Italian composer 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 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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