The theme of the old biblical prophet Elijah in Felix Mendelssohn's glorious oratorio orchestrated the annual New Zealand Opera School chapel service yesterday.
The service - titled In Praise of Music - featured the Mendelssohn work throughout as a musical blessing personified.
And the congregation of 400 - it was standing room only - at the Wanganui Collegiate chapel were riveted.
With the 24 opera students in the glowing candle-lit choir stalls either side of the altar, the magnificent pipe organ, played by Alan Gray of Nelson, resonated from the loft and there was also accompaniment from a virtuoso trumpet played by Whanganui's Clyde Dixon.
In full voice, the congregation and opera students' rendition of Jerusalem was rousing and inspiring.