REHEARSALS are well underway for the upcoming performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah by the Salisbury Musical Society.

The choir – which is made up of around 135 people – will perform at Salisbury Cathedral on November 23 from 7.30pm.

And a spokesperson urged people to book their tickets, as recent performances have attracted near-capacity audiences.

“There is much to be joyful about and not least, that the last two concerts have attracted much larger, near-capacity Cathedral audiences,” they said.

“It reflects the high standard of performance, the soloists and, without doubt, our brilliant conductors David Halls and John Challenger.”

Elijah is based on a Biblical story. The prophet Elijah has predicted a drought: punishment for those who worship the false God Baal. This includes King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel.

After Elijah is proved right, he persuades the people to repent – and to kill Baal’s prophets. Their faith is rewarded with storm clouds and rain. But Jezebel, furious, forces Elijah into exile.

Alone and hopeless in the wilderness, Elijah is consoled first by angels and then – after a mighty storm, an earthquake and a fire – by God himself. Following his trials, Elijah is whisked up to heaven in a fiery chariot.

Elijah received its first performance on August 26, 1846, in Birmingham and soon overtook Handel’s Messiah in popularity, remaining the most performed oratorio for most of the nineteenth century.

The Salisbury performance will be conducted by David Halls and accompanied by Chelsea Opera Group Orchestra, with soloists Melinda Hughes soprano, Felicity Buckland mezzo soprano, Thomas Elwin tenor and Gabriel Watson treble.

Tickets are available online via www.salisburymusicalsociety.org.uk for between £10 and £40, with youth discounts.