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Mendelssohn's Elijah
Sun., March 13   3 pm
Roswell UMC, 814 Mimosa Blvd. in Historic Roswell

Mon., March 14   8 pm
The Temple on Peachtree

John LaForge, a nationally acclaimed bass-baritone from Atlanta, will sing the title role in the MOS presentation of Mendelssohn's Elijah in March.

Composer Felix Mendelssohn set the story of Old Testament prophet Elijah to music in what has become one of the world's most famous oratorios. The tale of this extraordinary man is told through memorable solos, magnificent choruses, and sweeping pageantry. Bass-baritone John LaForge, a favorite of MOS audiences, will sing the title role with the power and majesty it demands. Other featured soloists include MOCS members Benjamin Pruett, tenor, and Karen Sikorski, alto, and special guest soprano Deborah Benardot, who is the cantor at The Temple.

Now in his fourth season with MOS, bass-baritone John LaForge has performed with opera companies and symphony orchestras throughout the United States, including The Washington Opera, Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Sante Fe Opera, Chautauqua Opera, and The Atlanta Opera, among others. He has previously appeared as soloist with The Michael O'Neal Singers in performances of Bach's Mass in B Minor and Brahms's Requiem. Mr. LaForge is the Coordinator of Music Education for the Fulton County School System.

Elijah will be performed in MOS's home venue at Roswell UMC on Sunday, March 13 at 3:00 p.m., and at The Temple on Peachtree on Monday, March 14 at 8:00 p.m. (see additional article. Tickets to both concerts are available at the door, at www.mosingers.com, or by calling 770/594 -7974.

MOS is looking forward with great anticipation to its performance at the historic temple located at 1589 Peachtree Street in North Atlanta.  Constructed in 1931, The Temple is home to Atlanta's oldest Jewish congregation, established in 1860.  It was designed by Philip T. Shutze (who was also responsible for Swan House and the Academy of Medicine, both in northwest Atlanta), and combines classical motifs with Jewish iconography.  Of particular note is the intricate plaster relief work on the interior of the sanctuary's molding, vaults, and dome.  Above the central altar area hangs one of four red globes, the Eternal Light, brought from the congregation's first temple built in 1875.  This globe is suspended from a gilded eagle on the ceiling that represents the Great Seal of the United States and symbolizes Jewish freedom in America. 

Perhaps the darkest day in the history of The Temple was October 12, 1958.  Because of the late Rabbi Jacob Rothschild's insistence on racial integration, The Temple was bombed early that morning with 50 sticks of dynamite, which blew open the northern side of the building.  An outpouring of support came from around the world to help The Temple rebuild. 

Recently, The Temple underwent a multi-million dollar renovation on the main sanctuary, which completely restored the Sanctuary, updated the Religious School facility, and added a new social hall, an early learning center and a new chapel.

Rededication of The Temple was held in April 2004. Visit www.the-temple.org for more information.

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