Darlington Choral Society provided an evening of drama and sincerity in the best tradition of English choral singing.

From the first recitative, in which Elijah prophesies drought in Israel, we knew we were in the hands of a fine and experienced bass.

Arthur Berwick has sung the role many times, and his expressive voice, wonderful diction and intense interpretation gave weight to the performance.

The tenor was Michael Hart- Davis, whose fine lyrical voice was heard to good effect in Obadiah’s arias If with all your hearts and Man Of God.

Soprano Mary Coffield’s clear, bright tone made the widow’s aria, What have to do with thee, very effective, and her singing of the great aria, Hear ye Israel, was very beautiful.

Contralto Janet Walke has a strong, clear voice which did full justice to the music for the angel, and she sang the well-known aria O rest in the Lord beautifully.

But it is the chorus that is so important for a successful Elijah, and from the first choral piece, with its thrilling cry for help, to the drama of the appeal to Baal, this chorus provided a powerful experience.

In the second part, the dignified Be not afraid, introduced by a trumpet call, was impressively sung. The gentler and quieter He watching over Israel was a favourite moment, and the account of the Lord passing by, not in tempest, earthquake or fire, but in a still small voice, is a good example of Mendelsson’s genius and the choir did it justice.

After fine singing by the soloists, the work ended with the chorus still with enough voice left to celebrate the power of God and leave the audience feeling inspired.

Conductor Richard Bloodworth kept the momentum going, never letting the pace falter for a moment. Choir and orchestra – the proficient Darlington Sinfonia – reached the climaxes brilliantly, but had quieter reflective times, and the message of a people reconciled to God through the work of a great prophet was certainly in our minds at the end.

Katherine Carr