About Mendelssohn's oratorio 'Elias' The Times said: "Never was there a more complete triumph - never a more thorough and speedy recognition of a great work of art." The libretto of Elijah is most skilfully adapted from the Biblical account and its music is both religious and dramatic. Throughout the work there are abundant examples of Mendelssohn's wonderful musical invention, in harmony and in scoring. The soprano aria 'Höre Israel' is the beginning of the second part of the oratorio.