Felix Mendelssohn channels George Frideric Handel. Stephen Dégout, a versatile and commanding baritone, portrays the prophet Elijah, who certainly knows how to wind up the prophets of the false god Baal. “Call him louder!” he suggests, dripping scorn, in a temple showdown. Elsewhere, Elijah brings rain to a parched Israel, endures the mischief of the wicked Queen Jezebel, and hightails to heaven in a flaming chariot. Raphaël Pichon conducts the excellent period band Pygmalion. —Matthew Gurewitsch