Open House for the Historic 1920 Tractor Test Laboratory. Tractor Test Track Exhibition of Power throughout the time. Tractor Parade and special program. Tractors Welcome!

The Symphony Orchestra and Choruses will perform Mendelssohn's ELIJAH on the Lied Center stage. Schumann called Mendelssohn the “Mozart of the 19th century” and Liszt said Mendelssohn was “Bach reborn.” After the 1846 Birmingham, England, premier of Mendelssohn’s greatest triumph, the major work, Elijah, the London Times said, "Never was there a more complete triumph - never a more thorough and speedy recognition of a great work of art." The English were enamored with the then thirty-eight year old Mendelssohn, who was fluent in the English language and traveled there on ten different trips. The English thought that they hadn’t really had a great composer living there since Handel and they treated Mendelssohn like a national hero. UNL’s production will feature all of the choirs on the Lied stage. The part of Elijah will be performed by UNL alum Charles “Chip” Smith. Other roles will be played by current graduates and undergraduates. Elijah has been an important part of the culture , both student and community, at the University of Nebraska over the last century. Archived pictures show over 7,000 people crammed into the UNL Coliseum to attend a concert years before the construction of the Lied Center. In a significant departure from traditional presentations, this production will be fully-staged and costumed with lighting and choreography. In the early discussions between Mendelssohn and his lyricist, the composer repeatedly insisted on the dramatic presentation of the character of Elijah, who appears in the Hebrew Bible (Prophets), the Christian Bible, the Qur’an, the Talmud, and the Mishnah. The production will be staged by UNL Director of Opera William Shomos, the performance will be conducted by Peter A. Eklund, Director of Choral Activities, the large pit orchestra will be prepared by Tyler G. White, UNL Director of Orchestras, and choreography will be by Stephen Todd. Tickets: Adults $20, student/senior $10. Available thru the Lied Center box office, 402/472-4747 or 1-800/432-3231.