A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Athalie

ATHALIE. Mendelssohn composed overture, march, and six vocal pieces (Op. 74) to Racine's drama. In the spring of 1843 the choruses alone (female voices), with pianoforte. In May or June 1844, the overture and march. Early in 1845 choruses re-written and scored for orchestra. First performed at Berlin, Dec. 1, 1845; in England, Windsor Castle, Jan. 1, 1847; Philharmonic, March 12, 1849.