The Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra (RICCO) proudly announces its upcoming performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah on April 6-7. Featuring 200 singers and a 60-piece orchestra, this monumental event promises a captivating rendition of the timeless oratorio. Mendelssohn’s Elijah, renowned for its powerful drama and themes of perseverance, will be performed at the Cathedral of the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Providence and the First Baptist Church in Worcester.
For Dr. Joshua W. Rohde, Music Director & Conductor, RICCO’s mission as a Civic Chorale is meaningful.
“I believe such music and repertoire should be for everyone. Music is about expressing oneself, about life, about things that are exciting – and choirs, in general, bring communities together.”
Rohde’s dedication to inclusivity is evident in RICCO’s collaborative and welcoming approach to music-making.
For Elijah, RICCO will be joined by singers and instrumentalists from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) where Rohde is Director of Choral Activities, as well as professional soloists and orchestra.
“Mendelssohn’s Elijah combines sacred themes with intricate musical compositions. An oratorio is a sacred opera. It’s massive, massive in scope. RICCO’s performance of Elijah in English, as originally premiered, aims to connect audiences directly with the music’s profound themes and emotions.”
“There will be moments when we rattle the rafters, and moments where you can hear a pin drop. I can’t tell you how excited we are to put nearly 300 performers on stage,” Rohde said.
Tickets for Mendelssohn’s Elijah are priced at $30 for general admission, $25 for seniors, and $10 for students with proper ID. With the support of local businesses and grants, RICCO continues its mission of enriching local New England communities through music.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Eventbrite link here or visit the RICCO website at www.ricco.org.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Mendelssohn’s Elijah brought to life by the talented performers of RICCO and WPI. Join us for an unforgettable musical journey filled with passion, drama, and inspiration.
About RICCO:
Since its beginning in 1957, the Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra (RICCO) has been a community organization of people from all walks of life, united in their love of choral music. The membership of the Chorale includes residents of Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. The Directors of this nonprofit organization are dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy, and financial resources in recognition of the valuable cultural contribution that the Chorale makes to the community.
Dr. Joshua W. Rohde has been RICCO’s music director since the 2019, and has grown the singer membership so that there are currently over 100 singers. Dr. Rohde is the Director of Choral Activities at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where he conducts all four of the university’s choral ensembles – Alden Voices, Glee Club, Festival Chorus, and the Chamber Choir.
About WPI:
Founded in 1865, WPI was one of the United States’ first engineering and technology universities and now has 14 academic departments with over 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Music is a significant part of WPI, embedded into the curriculum through the university’s Humanities & Arts Requirement and is a vibrant part of the campus. Offerings range in scope from courses in theory, history, and technology to over 18 faculty-led performing ensembles, such as Orchestra, Concert Band, Stage Band, Festival Chorus, and African Drumming. Further student organizations include Pep Band and five a cappella groups. Our musical groups perform regularly throughout the academic year, both on campus and on tours abroad.
About the RICCO-WPI Collaboration:
Both the Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra and Worcester Polytechnic Institute believe that music is one of the most powerful means available for personal and collective expression. RICCO and WPI use music as a vehicle to create inclusive communities that proclaim messages essential to our human nature. This is seen through the diversity of individuals on the stage: With more than 70 years range in ages, they come from different states and communities, and hold divergent musical expertise as students, amateurs, and professionals. Together they share a message of perseverance and hope amidst despair. As with Elijah, they share the knowledge that despite how bleak it sometimes may seem, none walks this life alone.
