Elgar's "Dream of Gerontius" Mesmerizing

Edward Elgar's "The Dream of Gerontius" (1900) is called a sacred choral work instead of an oratorio because, unlike an oratorio, it is through-composed instead of being divided into movements. Base on the 1865 poem by Cardinal John Henry Newman, the work was last performed at the Cincinnati May Festival in 1981, led by former music director James Conlon.
"Gerontius" returned to the May Festival May 26 at the Taft Theater. On the podium was Michael Francis, 37, music director of the Florida Orchestra, in his May Festival debut.
Gerontius (meaning "old man") is on his way to the afterlife when visions appear to him. There are angels, demons, a priest and friends of the dying man (called "assistants" in the score).
The performance by the May Festival Chorus, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble of fine soloists, plus movement artists, made an outstanding impression of the Taft Theater audience.
The orchestral prelude was melancholy, setting the mood with a solo by principal violist Christian Colberg. Gerontius (tenor Anthony Dean Griffey) prays to the Virgin Mary and a projection of candles appeared behind the stage. His Guardian Angel (mezzo-soprano (Michelle DeYoung, holding a lantern) sits before him.

The orchestral prelude was melancholy, setting the mood with a solo by principal violist Christian Colberg. Gerontius (tenor Anthony Dean Griffey) prays to the Virgin Mary and a projection of candles appeared behind the stage. His Guardian Angel (mezzo-soprano (Michelle DeYoung, holding a lantern) sits before him..
The Priest (bass Matthew Brock) bids Gerontius farengelwell. Gerontius' friends exit and his Soul begins its journey, accompanied by the Guardian Angel.
On his way, Gerontius meets a chorus of mocking demons, but his spirit revives. Projections behind the stage changed from mountains and plains to a valley and then a rising sun. "I am refreshed," sings Gerontius (Soul).
The hour of judgment has come. As Gerontius nears it, the Angel and a choir of Angelicals urge him to be brave. The souls of Purgatory and the Angel of Agony join in and a huge blast emerged from the CSO. Gerontius has arrived in Purgatory and his Guardian Angel assures him that she will "come and wake three on the morrow."
The May Festival continues with Johann Sebastian Bach's Mass in B Minor at 8 p.m. Saturday (May 27) at the Taft Theater.