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Will Kesling, Ph.D., Conductor & Music Director

Will Kesling, Ph.D. is a veteran artist having conducted over 200 professional and ama-teur choral ensembles and some 41 professional symphony orchestras in 23 countries. His talents for weaving together words and music, chorus and orchestra have garnered him international respect. A Washington Post concert review sums his abilities in two words, “clear professionalism.” A New York Daily News reviewer calls “Will Kes-ling’s conducting truly inspired and impeccably paced.”

Dr. Kesling has conducted a number of engagements in Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as well as in major concert halls on five continents. He has recorded five commercially produced CDs and conducted two feature film scores.

Dr. Kesling is in his ninth year as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Florida after serving nineteen years as Director of Choral and Orchestral Activities at Utah State University. There his choirs received national and international attention and have frequently performed for the American Choral Directors Association at both national and divisional conven-tions. Dr. Kesling’s choirs were featured on the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Paralympics on NBC. He is a sought after clinician for All-State Choirs and festivals and has numerous choral publications.

In recognition of these achievements Dr. Kesling was awarded The Congressional Order of Merit in September 2003 and the Medal of Distinction in November 2004 by the Congress of the United States of America. In March 2006, Professor Kesling was awarded his highest honor, the Ronald Reagan Gold Medal, for his contributions to the cultural life of the citizenry.

Phillip J. Klepacki, Associate Director

Illinois native Phillip J. Klepacki is associate conductor of the Gainesville Civic Chorus and director of the Choristers, the GCC’s chamber choir. Mr. Klepacki was recently appointed as an adjunct assistant professor in the University of Florida School of Music. He is also a doctoral candidate in Historical Musicology at UF, working under the supervision of Dr. David Z. Kushner; his cognate studies include Choral Conducting and English. His research interests include 20th century music, conducting, popular music, literary theory, and gender/sexuality studies; he is currently writing his dissertation on the art songs of American composer David Del Tredici. Mr. Klepacki was awarded a Graduate Teaching Award from the University of Florida for the 2009-10 academic year.

As a student of Dr. Will Kesling, Mr. Klepacki earned the Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Florida. He also holds the Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Choral Music Education from The Florida State University. While there, he studied voice with Barbara Ford and David Wingate, conducting with André Thomas and Judy Bowers, and was active int both choral and instrumental ensembles.

Before coming to the University of Florida, Mr. Klepacki worked as Music/Vocal Director and principal pianist on a number of musical theatre productions with the Gainesville Community Playhouse and Stagedoor Theater Arts Resource (STAR) Center. In 2001, he received the Gainesville Community Playhouse “Golden Apple” award for Outstanding Musical Direction for Once on This Island.

In addition to his graduate studies, Mr. Klepacki is the Music Director at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church of Newberry. He is an alumni member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Tau Beta Sigma, and a member of the Conductors Guild, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the College Music Society (CMS), and the American Musicological Society (AMS). He serves as a board member at-large for the LGBTQ Study Group of the AMS, and recently completed a term as Student Representative for the Southern Chapter of AMS. His articles on Steve Reich and Suzanne Vega appear in the recently-published Salem Press volume, Musicians and Composers of the 20th Century, and an article on Bing Crosby will appear in Salem’s forthcoming work, The Twenties in America.

PART IIntroduction: As God The Lord

ElijahAs God the Lord of Israel liveth, before whom I stand: There shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Overture

1. Chorus: Help, Lord!

The PeopleHelp, Lord! Wilt Thou quite destroy us?The harvest now is over, the summer days are gone, and yet no power cometh to help us! Will then the Lord be no more God in Zion?The deeps afford no water! And the rivers are exhausted! The suckling’s tongue now cleaveth for thirst to his mouth! The infant children ask for bread! And there is no one breaketh it to feed them.2. Duet with Chorus: Lord, Bow thine ear

The PeopleLord, bow Thine ear to our prayer.

Two Women (Lee Hyun-Jeong & Lindsey Nuesca)Zion spreadeth her hands for aid, and there is neither help nor comfort.

3. Recitative: Ye people, rend your heartsObadiah

Ye people, rend your hearts and not your garments for your transgressions: the prophet Elijah hath sealed the heavens through the word of God. I therefore say to ye: Forsake your idols, return to God; for He is slow to anger, and merciful, and kind, and gracious, and repenteth Him of the evil.

4. Aria: If with all your hearts

ObadiahIf with all your hearts ye truly seek me, ye shall ever surely find me.’ Thus saith our God. Oh! that I knew where I might find Him, that I might even

come before His presence!5. Chorus: Yet doth the Lord

The PeopleYet doth the Lord see it not; He mocketh at us; His curse hath fallen down upon us; His wrath will pursue us till He destroy us.

For He, the Lord our God, He is a jealous God, and He visiteth all the fathers’ sins on the children to the third and the fourth generation of them that hate Him.

His mercies on thousands fall, on all them that love him and keep his commandments.

6. Recitative: Elijah, get thee henceAn Angel (Shanelle Woods)

Elijah! Get thee hence, Elijah! Depart and turn thee eastward: thither hide thee by Cherith’s brook. There shalt thou drink its waters; And the Lord thy God hath commanded the ravens to feed thee there: So do according unto His word.

7. Double Quartet: For He shall give His angels

The Angels (Hali Hutchison, Adrianna Rodgers, Alyssa Rodgers, Shanelle Woods, Cody Laun, Justin Johns, Matthew Bischoff & Peter Bushnell)For He shall give His angels charge over thee:That they shall protect thee in all the ways thou goest; That their hands shall uphold and guide thee, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7A. Recitative: Now Cherith’s brook

An Angel (Shanelle Woods)Now Cherith’s brook is dried up, Elijah; Arise and depart, and get thee to Zerepath; Thither abide; For the Lord hath commanded a widow there to sustain thee; And the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.8. Duet: What have I to do with thee

Elijah

The WidowWhat have I to do with thee, O man of God? Art thou come to me, to call my sin unto remembrance? To slay my son art thou come hither? Help me, man of God, my son is sick! And his sickness is so sore that there is no breath left in him! I go mourning all the day long, I lie down and weep at night! See mine affliction! Be thou the orphan’s helper! Help my son! There is no breath left in him!

ElijahGive me thy son. Turn unto her, O Lord, my God; in mercy help the widow’s son! For Thou art gracious, and full of compassion, And plenteous in truth and in mercy. Lord, my God, let the spirit of this child return, that he again may live!

The WidowWilt thou shew wonders to the dead? There is no breath in him.

ElijahLord, my God, let the spirit of this child return, that he again may live!

The WidowShall the dead arise and praise thee?

ElijahLord, my God, let the spirit of this child return, that he again may live!

The WidowThe Lord hath heard thy prayer; The soul of my son reviveth!

ElijahNow behold, thy son liveth!

The WidowNow I know that thou art a man of God, and that His word in thy mouth is the truth. What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits for me!

Elijah with The WidowThou shalt love the Lord, thy God, love him with all thine heart, with all my soul and with all my might. Oh blessed are they who fear Him!

9. Chorus: Blessed are the men

PeopleBlessed are the men who fear Him, they ever walk in the way of peace. Through darkness riseth light to the upright. He is gracious, compassionate; He is righteous.

10. Recitative & Chorus: As God the Lord of Sabaoth

ElijahAs God the Lord of Sabaoth liveth, before whom I stand, three years this day fulfilled, I will shew myself unto Ahab; and the Lord will then send rain again upon the earth.

Ahab (Cody Laun)Art thou Elijah! Art thou he that troubleth Israel!

The PeopleThou art Elijah, thou he that troubleth Israel!

ElijahI never troubled Israel’s peace: it is thou, Ahab, and thy entire father’s house. Ye have forsaken God’s commands, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now send, and gather to me the whole of Israel unto Mount Carmel; There summon the prophets of Baal, And also the prophets of the groves who are feasted at Jezebel’s table. Then we shall see whose God is the Lord.

The PeopleAnd then we shall see whose God is the Lord.

ElijahRise then, ye priests of Baal; select and slay a bullock, and put no fire under it; uplift your voices and call the god ye worship; and the god who by fire shall answer, let him be God.

The PeopleYea, and the God who by fire shall answer, let him be God.

ElijahCall first upon your god, your numbers are many: I, even I only remain one prophet of the Lord; Invoke your forest gods and mountain deities.11. Chorus: Baal, we cry to thee

Prophets of BaalBaal, we cry to thee, hear and answer us! Heed the

sacrifice we offer! Hear us, Baal! Hear, mighty god! Baal, oh answer us! Baal, let thy flames fall and vanquish the foe!

12. Recitative & Chorus: Call him louder

ElijahCall him louder, for he is a god! He talketh, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey; or, peradventure, he sleepeth: so awaken him! Call him louder, call him louder!

Prophets of BaalHear our cry, O Baal! now arise! Wherefore slumber?

13. Recitative & Chorus: Call him louder

ElijahCall him louder! He heareth not. With knives and lancets cut yourselves after your manner. Leap upon the altar ye have made, call him and prophesy! Not a voice will answer you: none will listen, none heed you.

Prophets of BaalBaal! Baal! Hear and answer, Baal! Mark how the scorner derideth us! Hear and answer!14. Aria: Draw near, all ye people

ElijahDraw near, all ye people, come to me! Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, this day let it be known that Thou art God, and that I am Thy servant! Lord God of Abraham! Oh shew to all this people that I have done these things according to Thy word. Oh hear me, Lord, and answer me! Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, oh hear me and answer me, and shew this people that Thou art Lord God. And let their hearts again be turned!15. Chorus: Cast thy Burden

AngelsCast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustainthee. He never will suffer the righteous to fall: He isat thy right hand. Thy mercy, Lord, is great, and farabove the heavens. Let none be made ashamed, that wait upon Thee!

16. Recitative & Chorus: O Thou, who makest/The Fire Descends

ElijahO Thou, who makest Thine angels spirits; Thou, whose ministers are flaming fires: let them now descend!

The PeopleThe fire descends from heaven! The flames consume his offering! Before Him upon your faces fall! The Lord is God, the Lord is God! O Israel hear! Our God is one Lord, and we will have no other gods before the Lord.

ElijahTake all the prophets of Baal, and let not one of them escape you. Bring them down to Kishon’s brook, and there let them be slain.

The PeopleTake all the prophets of Baal and let not one of them escape us: bring all and slay them!

17. Aria: Is not His word like a fire?

ElijahIs not His word like a fire, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock into pieces! For God is angry with the wicked every day. And if the wicked turn not, the Lord will whet His sword; and He hath bent His bow, and made it ready.18. Arioso: Woe unto them who forsake Him!!

A Believer (Nicole Ortega)Woe unto them who forsake Him! Destruction shall fall upon them: For they have transgressed against Him. Though they are by him redeemed. Yet they have spoken falsely against Him. From Him have they fled.

19. Recitative: O man of God

ObadiahO man of God, help thy people! Among the idols of the Gentiles, are there any that can command the rain, or cause the heavens to give their showers! The Lord our God alone can do these things.

19A. Recitative & Chorus: O Lord, Thou hast overthrown Thine enemies

ElijahO Lord, Thou hast overthrown Thine enemies and destroyed them. Look down on us from heaven, o Lord; regard the distress of Thy people. Open the heavens and send us relief. Help, help Thy servant now, o God!

The PeopleOpen the heavens and send us relief. Help, help Thy servant now, o God!

ElijahGo up now, child, and look toward the sea. Hath my prayer been heard by the Lord!

The Child (Austin Smithson)There is nothing. The heavens are as brass, they are as brass above me.

ElijahWhen the heavens are closed up because they have sinned against Thee: yet if they pray and confess Thy name, and turn away from their sins when Thou dost afflict them: then hear from heaven, and forgive the sin. Help, send Thy servant help, o God!

The PeopleThen hear from heaven, and forgive the sin. Help, send Thy servant help, o God!

ElijahGo up again, and still look towards the sea.

The ChildThere is nothing. The earth is as iron under me.

ElijahHearest thou no sound of rain! Seest thou nothing arise from the deep!

The ChildNo: there is nothing.

ElijahHave respect to the prayer of Thy servant, o Lord, my God! Unto Thee will I cry, Lord, my rock, be not silent to me! And Thy great mercies remember, Lord.

The ChildBehold, a little cloud ariseth now from the waters; it is like a man’s hand! The heavens are black with cloud

and with wind; the storm rusheth louder and louder!

The PeopleThanks be to God for all His mercies.

ElijahThanks be to God! For He is gracious; and His mercy endureth for evermore!

20. Chorus: Thanks be to God!

The PeopleThanks be to God! He laveth the thirsty land. The waters gather, they rush along, they are lifting their voices. The stormy billows are high, their fury is mighty But the Lord is above them and almighty. But the Lord is above them, and Almighty.

INTERMISSIONPART II

21. Aria for Soprano: Hear ye, Israel

Hear ye, Israel, hear what the Lord speaketh: “Oh, hadst thou heeded my commandments!” Who hath believed our report? To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and His Holy One, to him oppressed by Tyrants; thus saith the Lord:

“I am He that comforteth. Be not afraid, for I am thy God! I will strengthen thee! Say, who art thou, that thou art afraid of a man that shall die; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker, who hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the earth’s foundations? Say, who art thou? I am He that comforteth. Be not afraid, for I am thy God! I will strengthen thee!”22. Chorus: Be Not Afraid“Be not afraid,” saith God the Lord, “Be not afraid, thy help is near! God, the Lord, thy God, saith unto thee: “Be not afraid!” Though thousands languish and fall beside thee, and tens of thousands around thee perish, yet still it shall not come nigh thee.23. Recitative & Chorus: The Lord hath exalted thee

ElijahThe Lord hath exalted thee from among the people, and o’er his people Israel hath made thee King. But thou, Ahab, hast done evil to provoke him to anger

above all that were before thee: As if it had been a light thing for thee to walk in the sins of Jeroboam. Thou hast made a grove and an altar to Baal, and served him in worshiped him; Thou hast killed the righteous, and also taken possession. And the Lord shall smite all Israel as a reed is shaken in the water; and He shall give Israel up, And thou shalt know He is the Lord.

Queen Jezebel (Lindsey Nuesca)Have ye not heard, heard he hath prophesied against all of Israel?

The PeopleWe heard it with our ears.

Queen JezebelHath he not prophesied also against the king of Israel?

The PeopleWe heard it with our ears.

Queen JezebelAnd why hath he spoken in the name of the Lord? Doth Ahab govern the kingdom of Israel, while Elijah’s power is greater than the king’s? The gods do to me, and more, If by tomorrow about this time, I make not his life as the one of them whom he hath sacrificed as the brook of Kishon!

The PeopleHe shall perish!

Queen JezebelHath he not destroyed Baal’s prophets?

The PeopleHe shall perish!

Queen JezebelYea, by sword he destroyed them all.

The PeopleHe destroyed them all!

Queen JezebelHe also closed the heavens,

The PeopleHe also closed the heavens,

Queen JezebelAnd called down a famine upon the land.

The PeopleAnd called down a famine upon the land.

Queen JezebelSo go ye forth and seize Elijah, for he is worthy to die: slaughter him! Do unto him as he has done.

24. Chorus: Woe to him

The PeopleWoe to him! He shall perish, he closed the heavens, And why hath he spoken in the name of the Lord? Let the guilty prophet perish! He hath spoken falsely against our land and us, as we have heard it with our ears. So go ye forth; seize on him! He shall die.

25. Recitative: Man of God

ObadiahMan of God, now let my words be precious in thy sight. Thus saith Jezebel;’Elijah is worthy to die’. So the mighty gather against thee, and they have prepared a net for thy steps; that they may seize thee, that they say slay thee. Arise then, and hasten for thy life; to the wilderness journey. The Lord thy God doth go with thee: He will not fail thee, He will not forsake thee. Now begone and bless me also!

ElijahThough stricken, they have not grieved. Tarry here my servant: the Lord be with thee. I journey hence to the wilderness.

26. Aria: It is enough

ElijahIt is enough! O Lord, now take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers! I desire to live no longer: now let me die, for my days are but vanity. I have been very jealous for the Lord God of Hosts. For the children of Israel have broken Thy covenant, and thrown down Thine altars, and slain all Thy prophets, slain them with the sword. And I, even I only am left: and they seek my life to take it away! It is enough! O Lord, now take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers! Now let me die, Lord, take away my life!27. Aria: See, now he sleepeth

ObadiahSee, now he sleepeth beneath a juniper tree in the wilderness, but the angels of the Lord encamp round about all them that fear Him.28. Trio: Lift thine eyesAngels (Deili Ranger, Adrianna Rodgers, Alyssa Rodgers)Lift thine eyes to the mountains, whence cometh help. Thy help cometh from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He hath said, thy foot shall not be moved, thy Keeper will never slumber.29. Chorus: He watching over Israel

He, watching over Israel, slumbers not, nor sleeps. Shouldst thou, walking in grief, languish, He will quicken thee.

30. Recitative: Arise Elijah

An Angel (Nicole Ortega)Arise, Elijah, for thou hast a long journey before thee, Forty days and forty nights shalt thou go, to Horeb, the mount of God.

ElijahO Lord, I have labored in vain! Yea, I have spent my strength for naught. O that Thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down. That the mountains would flow down at thy presence, to make Thy Name known to Thine adversaries, through the wonders of Thy works! O Lord, why hast Thou made them to err from Thy ways? And hardened their hearts. That they do not fear Thee? O that I might die!31. Aria: O Rest in the LordAn Angel (Nicole Ortega)Oh rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, and He shall give thee thy heart’s desires. Commit thy way unto Him, and trust in Him, and fret not thyself because of evil-doers.

32. Chorus: He that shall endureHe that shall endure to the end shall be saved.

33. Recitative: Night falleth round me

Elijah

Night falleth round me, O Lord! Be Thou not far from me! Hide not Thy face, O Lord, from me; My soul is thirsting for Thee, as a thirsty land.

An AngelArise now! Get thee without! Stand on the mount before the Lord! For there His glory will appear, and shine on thee! Thy face must be veiled, for He draweth near.

34. Chorus: Behold God the Lord

Behold, God the Lord passed by! And a mighty wind rent the mountains around, brake in pieces the rocks, brake them before the Lord. But yet the Lord was not in the tempest.

Behold, God the Lord passed by! And the sea was upheaved, and the earth was shaken. But yet the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there came a fire. But yet the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there came a still small voice.

And in that still voice onward came the Lord.

35. Recitative & Chorus: Holy is God

Above Him stood the Seraphim, and one cried to another:Seraphim (Adelaide Boedecker, Hali Hutchison, Shanelle Woods, Nicole Ortega)Holy, holy, holy is God the Lord, the Lord Sabaoth! Now His glory hath filled all the earth.36. Chorus & Recitative: Go, return upon thy way/ I go on my way

ChorusGo, return upon thy way! For the Lord yet hath left Him seven thousand in Israel, knees which have not bowed to Baal. Go, return upon thy way! Thus the Lord commandeth.

ElijahI go on my way in the strength of the Lord. For Thou art my Lord; and I will suffer for Thy sake. My heart is therefore glad, my glory rejoiceth; and

PROGRAM NOTES Mendelssohn’s grand and mighty oratorio tells of the Old Testament prophet Elijah in a fast-moving story of faith, fear-lessness, fight, and flight. When the directors of the Birmingham Festival in England commissioned Felix Mendelssohn to compose and conduct a new oratorio in 1846, the thirty-eight year old composer had long been the most celebrated composer and conductor in Europe. Like Mozart, Mendelssohn had been a child prodigy, a virtuoso performer on both piano and organ as well as a composer. By the age of seventeen he had already written many outstanding works such as the Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Mendelssohn’s compositions were extraordinarily popular. His Violin Concerto was performed so often that a little ditty was sung to the opening bars, “Schon wieder, schon wieder, das Mendelssohn Konzert,” (“And yet again, that Mendelssohn Concerto!”). He was no less eminent as a conductor and had fashioned the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orches-tra into one of the premiere ensembles of Europe. Mendelssohn made another outstanding contribution to music of a different sort when in 1829 the twenty-year-old composer mounted a revival of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in Berlin which reawakened an interest in Bach’s choral music that has lasted to this day.

my flesh shall also rest in hope.37. Arioso: For the mountains

ElijahFor the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but Thy kindness shall not depart from me; neither shall the covenant of Thy peace be removed.38. Chorus: Then did ElijahThen did Elijah the prophet break forth like a fire; his words appeared like burning torches. Mighty kings by him were overthrown. He stood on the mount of Sinai and heard the judgments of the future, and in Horeb its vengeance. And when the Lord would take him away to heaven, lo! There came a fiery chariot with fiery horses, and he went by a whirlwind to heaven.

39. Aria: Then Shall the Righteous

ObadiahThen shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in their heavenly Father’s realm. Joy on their head shall be for everlasting, and all sorrow and mourning shall flee away forever.40. Recitative: Behold, God hath sent Elijah

An AngelBehold, God hath sent Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the

children, and the heart of the children unto their fathers: lest the Lord shall come and smite the earth with a curse.

41. Chorus: But the Lord from the north

But the Lord from the north hath raised one, who, from the rising of the sun, shall call upon his name, and come on Princes. Behold my servant and mine elect in whom my soul delighteth! On him the Spirit of God shall rest; the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of might and of counsel, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord.42. Quartet: O Come, every one that thirstethO come, every one that thirsteth, O come to the waters, O come unto Him. O hear , and your soul shall live forever.

43. Chorus: And then shall your light break forth

And then shall your light break forth as the light of morning breaketh, and your health shall speedily spring forth then; And the glory of the Lord ever shall reward you.

Lord, our Creator, how excellent Thy Name is in all the nations! Thou fillest heaven with Thy glory. Amen.

Mendelssohn had long contemplated the idea of an oratorio dealing with the prophet Elijah. He had already composed St. Paul, the first successful oratorio since the days of Handel and Haydn. The commission from the Birmingham Festival afforded him the opportunity to take on the Elijah project. He returned to the Rev. Julius Schubring, who sup-plied the libretto for St. Paul, as his librettist for Elijah. Schubring had a rather didactic view of the project and wanted to include explicit Christian theology. Mendelssohn had another view altogether for he wrote, “I would fain see the dramatic element more prominent as well as more exuberant and defined.... [T]he dramatic element should predomi-nate.” Although Mendelssohn spoke fluent, English he engaged his English friend William Bartholomew to prepare the English translation which he would set to music. The score was finally completed in Mid-August of 1846, just in time for Mendelssohn to conduct the premiere at the Birmingham Festival on August 26, 1846. The oratorio was an instant success. There was thunderous applause and repeated encores, quite unusual in Britain at that time, where oratorio performances were seen as quasi-religious events and generally not applauded. Elijah quickly took its place alongside Messiah and The Creation in the pantheon of oratorios.

Will Kesling, Ph.D.

SYNOPSIS Ahab is king in Israel and has married Jezebel, the daughter of the king of the Phoenician city Sidon. Jezebel has introduced the worship of the false god Baal to the Israelites, and Ahab has begun persecuting his subjects who remain faithful to the Lord. Obadiah, Ahab’s ‘minister of state’, has remained faithful to the Lord and is providing hiding places and places of refuge to as many prophets and holy men as he can. Elijah suddenly appears and prophesies a drought. Elijah goes into the desert while Ahab searches in vain to destroy him. Elijah seals the heavens so that no rain would fall because of the Israelites’ apostasy. A three-year famine ensues.

After a while, Elijah goes to Zarephath, where he asks a widow to give him lodging and food. The widow has just enough for a single meal. Elijah convinces her to trust in the Lord as the Lord will provide for her. She feeds Elijah and during the time of the prophet’s stay with her, her food is miraculously replenished. The widow’s son, however, becomes very ill and dies. Elijah prays to the Lord and the son’s life is restored.

At the end of three years, Elijah returns to Israel to face Ahab. He challenges Ahab to have a bullock sacrifice prepared to Baal but to light no fire under it. Elijah will do the same, except he douses his altar three times with water. The priests of Baal are to invoke their god while Elijah will invoke the Lord to ignite their respective fires. The god who lights the fire that consumes the bullock will be proven to be the one true God. The priests of Baal summon him in vain while Elijah mocks them. Elijah’s prayer to the Lord is answered by fire. Seeing this, the people repent. Elijah has the priests of Baal taken and executed. Then he prays for an end to the drought and the Lord sends rain again upon the land.

Elijah’s triumph is short lived, for Jezebel stirs up the people against him. He is forced to flee into the desert, where he despairs over his failure to bring the people back to the Lord. Angels come to minister to him and he is directed to go to Mount Horeb, where the Lord will come to him. As he waits on the mount there is first a violent wind, then an earthquake and finally, a raging fire. The Lord is in none of these. The Lord comes as a still, small voice, telling Elijah to return to Israel. Elijah returns for one more confrontation with Ahab.

Elijah has trained Elisha to be his successor. The Lord sends a fiery chariot with fiery horses to Elijah. Elijah mounts the chariot and Elisha witnesses the prophet as he is taken up into heaven in a whirlwind.

The story of Elijah has supplied Mendelssohn with ultra dramatic material. Remember Mendelssohn said that he want-ed “… the dramatic element more prominent as well as more exuberant….” Dramatic and exuberant are apt descriptors of his musical product, yet are understated. When Mendelssohn’s Elijah premiered in 1846, the work met instant lauds, hailed by the London Times, “Never was there a more complete triumph - never a more thorough and speedy recogni-tion of a great art.” Musicologists have called Elijah the greatest oratorio of the nineteenth century. It is one of the greatest masterpieces of vocal literature, a work that transcends theology and denomination.

Will Kesling, Ph.D.

Nicholas Pallesen, Baritone Named as the 2007 Outstanding Young Alumnus from the UF College of Fine Arts, Baritone Nicholas Pallesen recently won widespread critical acclaim for his portrayal of Robert Storch in Strauss’ Intermezzo opposite Mary Dunleavy at New York City Opera. This followed a successful debut at NYCO as Sharpless in Madama Butterfly in 2010. Other highlights of the 2010-2011 season include Sharpless in his debut with El Paso Opera, covering the role of Bill Foster in the New York premiere of Stephen Schwartz’s opera Séance on a Wet Afternoon at NYCO, a debut with Opera New Jersey singing John Sorel in The Consul, and Escamillo in Carmen with Opera Fort Collins.

Mr. Pallesen was a 2007 Grand Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. He is a winner of the Giulio Gari Competition, the Sullivan Foundation and the Opera Index Vocal Competitions. He has also won awards from the Lorin L. Zachary Society, the Liederkranz Foundation, the Gerda Lissner Foundation, the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, career grants from the Santa Fe Opera, and the Richard Gold Career Grant from the Shoshana Foundation, among others.

Mr. Pallesen is a recent graduate of the Juilliard Opera Center. During his time in JOC, he performed Professor Him-melhuber in Krenek’s Schwergewicht, oder die Ehre der Nation and Stephan in Mussorgsky’s The Marriage under the baton of James Conlon, Leon Klinghoffer in John Adams’ The Death of Klinghoffer conducted by the composer, the title role in Stephen Wadsworth’s production of Verdi’s Falstaff, and Top in Copland’s The Tender Land.

Dr. Cory Evans, Tenor Dr. Evans succeeded Dr. Kesling as Director of Choral Activities at Utah State University when Kesling came to the University of Florida in 2002. Cory received a B.M. in Music education from Utah State University; a M.M. in Vocal Performance from the University of Florida; and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Arizona State University. He serves as Executive Director of Music Reservata of Utah, a professional early music ensemble.

As a tenor soloist, Cory has recently premiered Ophelia in Seville by Miguel del Aguila with Utah State University’s Musica Viva. Under the baton of Dr. Kesling, he has soloed with the Vancouver Symphony and Utah Chamber Orches-tra, and appears on the Integra Classics’ CD Sing Me to Heaven.

Under the direction of Dr. Evans, the Utah State University’s Chamber Singers have been nominated for a Grammy Award for its new CD, “Show Me Thy Ways: Choral Music of Daniel E. Gawthrop.”

Dr. Elizabeth Graham, Soprano Dr. Graham has won international acclaim in opera houses from Genoa, Italy to the Spoleto Festival of Three Worlds in Melbourne, Australia. Paul Hume in the Washington Post said of Ms. Graham, “Each high note she touched seemed more beautiful.....” while the Genoa Times called her, “delicious”.

Ms. Graham has toured extensively singing with such companies as the Houston Grand Opera, Seattle Opera, Virginia Opera, Charlotte Opera, and the Orlando Opera in such diverse roles as Cio Cio San, the Countess in Figaro and Tosca. Ms. Graham has made debuts in London and Tel Aviv, starring as Bess in the Living Arts International Tour of Porgy and Bess. Symphony orchestras she has appeared with include Seattle, Houston, Honolulu, Florida Philharmonic, the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra, and many other major orchestras with such distinguished conductors as John DeMain, Robert Bass, Chris Nance, and Ransom Wilson, with whom she collaborated on Barber’s Knoxville Summer of 1915.

Most recently, Ms. Graham has been starring in and directing the Living Arts Production of Porgy and Bess which has toured on five continents including major cities in Europe, Japan, and Australia. She has also been featured at the famous Teatro de Colon in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Teatro Municipal, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the Sydney Opera House, Australia.

Graham has won such prestigious competitions as the Metropolitan Opera District and Regional Auditions, the Palm Beach Civic Opera Competition and the National Young Artist’s Award.

Dr. Graham is a Professor of Music at the University of Florida where she heads the School of Music’s Vocal Area.

Dr. Will Kesling, Music Director & Conductor

Phillip Klepacki, Associate Director

Tené DeKrey, Accompanist

Soprano I Alto Tenor Bass

Sylvie L. F. Beukelman LaurieBell Thor Blevins John Bevis

Laura Blaine Lori Boger Peter S. Bushnell Tom Bullock

Allison Poe Costello Dana Catalfono Roger Cooper Tom Burrows

Teresa Duke Janet Cornelius Mark Elliot Gene Dunnam

Leslie Ellis Margaret Couch Kati Grote Adam Dyer

Caroline E. Fjeldheim Diana Crosby Phillip J. Klepacki Stanley Figaro

Gwendoline Fortune Sue D’Auria Hope Koski Charles Fulton

Annie Wood Fuller Andrea Danhof Stan Smith Robert D. Harris, Sr.

Susan Gillespie Ann Elnicki Don Suther Michael Healy

Vikisha Hazanwala Caira Everly Mario Kinsey

Suzanna Hough Carolyn Hinson Andy Olivenbaum

Elaine Jacobson Joann Ihas Douglas Richards

Lee Hyun-Joeng Kim Kazimour Bud Snedecor

Lisa Kopf Maria Kravchenko Rigoberto Torres

Judith Morrow Ann Lindell Ken Warren

Anne Newman Nancy Macaulay Colin Yokomi

Hannah Norton Ginny McDaniel

Amy Selwach Mary McGill

Noelle Silk Lindsay Nuesca

Robyn Taylor Martha Payne

Grace Thomson Nicole Peterson

Lois Tipton Carla Wells

Susan Wagner

Megan Williams

Glenda Williamson

Sharon Yang

University of Florida Concert ChoirDr. Will Kesling, ConductorTené DeKrey, Accompanist

Soprano IAdelaide BoedeckerAmanda LangstonEloise MarkCaitlain GarlandKatie HaagHali HutchisonJessica ReidCaitlin RuddyGrace SvatekTania Aleman

Soprano IIMeghan ClancyAnna FeuchtBritani GilgerShara LunonErica MichelsDeili RangelAdrianna Rodgers

Alto ICarolyn BallardJillian BerreyKaitly Flynn Danielle JohnsonNicole OrtegaAustin SmithsonJamie WoodShanelle Woods

Alto IISarah PoserAnalisse ReyesAlyssa RodgersClary RomanAmber SuleskeyYulene Velásquez

Tenor ICody LaunJames JenkinsAustin RamettaAnthony RodriguezDuncan Wambugu

Tenor IIPeter BushnellMalcom DixFernando GarciaTravis HornsbyEliott HughesPreston MorganBilly Vranish

Bass IJason BeckMatthew BischoffCraig GatesMatt GenderStephen HansonTyler HartmannXavier RichardsonJustin JohnsEric NievesJavier Peña

Bass IIJason LeeMichael LeeCollin ThompsonWilliam VebertJarin Whally

Violin 1Jesse Long, Concert MasterVilma LlojaRebecca SchmitzStephanie RichesonLauren HolderSonya Stahl

Violin 2Neyza Copa, principalYefim RomanovAlex WarwickNatalie ChangGloria LeePrentiss Ladkani

ViolaRenate Falkner, principalJulie FranklinJesse CalcatAdrianna Andrews

CelloSteven Thomas, principal

Laura MauleLaurel StantonWill Teegarden

BassSteve Landis, principalPaul Strasshofer

FluteNicole Frankel, principalJodie Sluys

OboeLeslie Odom, principalAriel Palau

ClarinetMikey Arbulu, principalJeremiah Adriano

BassoonClarisse Benson, principalCarol Bryan

HornMiranda Morris, principalJackie PerezLaura WeissAlexis Thompson

TrumpetJoe Jamerson, principalSteven Butler

TromboneKatie Reed, principalMichael EichnerMark Doerffle

TubaJames Jenkins, principal

TimpaniDon McGarity, principal

OrganMark Coffey

Elijah Orchestra

2010 AUCTION DONORSKim Kazimour CVS PharmacyThe Great Frame Up Bussard Management, Inc.Gary & Joann Ihas Northwest Seafood, Inc.Hippodrome Theatre Lili’s AlterationsAcademy of Music & Art Park Place Car WashWorld Golf Hall of Fame Gumby’s PizzaThe Gainesville Health & Fitness Centres Hair HuntersRobert Gerachis Gainesville Community PlayhouseLinda Carole Wilson The Wine & Cheese Gallery, Inc.Judith Morrow University Athletic Assoc.Charleen Bonson Pomodora CafeJudy Peek Landscapes, Inc. Ann ElnickiRamona M. Chance Hollywood VideoLinda Hedgcoth Harmony GardensJones Sales & Service The Village JewelerOlive You Eat Well West End Golf ClubStan Smith Limerock Road Neighborhood GrillJA Photos Marianne Coveney European EssentialsSports Marketing The Perfect GiftCaptain Ken Knudsen Peggy’s MusicCountryside Animal Hospital Ann LindellWayne Jesperson Noelle SilkLisa Romero – Voice Lessons Wild Birds UnlimitedD’Lites emporium Peter S. BushnellOrganize and More – Linda Richards Sunflower Health FoodsJackie Fouts Eat End EateryDon Suther Haile Village BistroGrace Thomson Fresh MarketHealth Quest Clare Fenn, DOM, APDecker & Pomeranz Dentistry Robyn TaylorPaddiwhack Dr. Brian Shenker, OptometristVintage Glamour Walmart - Walter Davis, ManagerWild Adventures Water & Theme Park Amy GeiserTerry Nutt Custom Jewelers Margaret CouchNancy Macauley Oak Hammock at UFPace System Jewelers and Time Works Chesapeake Bagel Bakery

FOOD/DRINK DONORSPublix Supermarkets Northwest Grille RestaurantPepsi Cola Coca ColaLa Fiesta Restaurant

FOOD PREPARATIONEugena Johnson

Gold ConductorFidelity Charitable Gift Fund

ConductorHerb BevisJohn BevisTom & Phyllis BurrowsJanet CorneliusCornelia OdomPamphalon Foundation, Inc.Ammon & Ing-Marie Peck

SponsorStan & Rita Smith

PatronJudyth Dawson in memory of Dr. William W. Dawson

BenefactorRalph BowdenPhoebe BowersLillian DeleruyelleDecker & Pomeranz DentistryNancy DicksonKeith DotyGene and Dibbie DunnamDon & Mary Lou EitzmanRichard & Justine FrySusan GillespieMichael Healy & Edward Bobowski

GCC 2010-2011 CONTRIBUTORS

Lois C. HigmanElaine JacobsonJacqueline LangeéMartha PayneJohn F. ScottSam TrickeyBruce and Gayle WheelerSharon YangRon & Patti Zollars

ContributorPatricia AbramsLeveda BrownColine & Benson CainRickard ComstockSusan CookseyLeon & Margaret CouchJohn ElnickiByron & Faith FrenchVada HornerDr. Madelyn M. LockhartFrank Maturo, JrPeter McGuireZach NeeceHugh PutnamLawrance & Elizabeth ShawEric A. WagnerMr. & Mrs. Casey WoodNorma N. Zabel

SupporterMark & Mary BarrowNorma Beckwith-ZemanAnn BryanDr. and Mrs. John L. DavidsonWilliam EbersoleAnn FullerHarvey GoldsteinJean IngramWayne J & Mary Cathryn JespersenLee & Martha JohnsonElise V. LeCompteCarolyn MayJane MedvedChuck & Jane NelsonJanet PhillipsResort ConnectionsHelen SandersonMary SessumsCharles SnavelyRaymond SutcliffeCarol WillisJoyce Wiltbank

Many thanks to all those who have contributed to the Gainesville Civic Chorus. We are always grateful for your support, both in attendance and in dollars, and greatly value your contributions to our musical work. Contributions in any amount are gratefully accepted. If you would like to support the Gainesville Civic Chorus with a tax deductible contribution, please see the contribution form for more information. Thanks for sharing our joy of music!

CONTRIBUTION FORMThe Gainesville Civic Chorus is celebrating its 35th season of fine musical programs. We would like to

invite you to help make this a successful season by becoming a contributor. Please consider making

a gift toward The GCC’s annual budget, either today or as part of your own year-end contributions within

this community. Ticket sales and dues from members only cover a portion of our expenses for the season.

Contributions are gratefully accepted and are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law under

§501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

We are grateful for your support.

Please select a donation category and print your name as you would like it to appear in the next program.

NAME: ______________________________________________________

____ Supporter $25 - $49 ____ Contributor $50 - $99

____ Benefactor $100 - $249 ____ Patron $250 - $499

____ Sponsor $500 - $999

____ Conductor $1,000 and above

Please make your check payable to Gainesville Civic Chorus and mail it to:

Gainesville Civic Chorus

P.O. Box 5205

Gainesville, FL 32627-5205

_________________________________________________________________

TO ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR MAILING LIST and RECEIVE ADVANCE NOTICE OF

FUTURE CONCERTS, please send us your name and address:

Name________________________ Address:________________________________

Place me on your e-mail notification list:_______________________________

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Acknowledgements

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WUFT-FM “Classic 89” with special thanks to Richard DrakeUF School of Music

A substantial grant from the Fidelity Charitable Gift Grant (made possible through the generosity and recommendation of the Dharma

Endowment Foundation) is underwriting a portion of this production of Elijah.

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