About

Mendelssohn’s powerful oratorio Elijah raises the roof at St George’s Hall as Bradford Festival Choral Society, Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra and a glittering array of soloists bring this magnificent music to life. Packed with drama, this enduringly popular work is full of beautiful arias, dramatic recitatives, rousing choruses and colourful orchestration.  First performed just ten years before BFCS was founded, this magnificent work is not to be missed!

Bradford Festival Choral Society (shortlisted for the 2023 Royal Philharmonic Society Awards) have a great historic connection with St George’s Hall.  The choir was founded in 1856, after being put together as a temporary group for the hall’s opening in 1853.  With around 120 singers, the choir is directed by Thomas Leech, and programmes include the classic choral works that are such an important part of the choir’s heritage while also exploring exciting new music by living composers.  

The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra is an ensemble proud of its Yorkshire roots and heritage and is constantly striving to be an artistic voice for the North of England. It is a reincarnation of an ensemble that disbanded in the 1950s and in the two years since its rebirth has performed concerts with Lesley Garrett, Wynne Evans, Sir Willard White and Aled Jones. Comprising some of the north of England’s finest orchestral musicians and with a passion for collaboration with both musical ensembles and across other art forms it seeks to be a regular fixture in concert seasons and events throughout the region for years to come.