BLUE HILL — The last time the Bagaduce Chorale performed Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio “Elijah,” Joshua Miller was 2 years old.

That was in 1988. This year, as the group returns to what it calls “one of the great masterpieces of oratorio literature,” Miller will perform the lead role, one of four guest soloists in the production.

“It’s really a tour de force for the person you have to perform Elijah,” said director Bronwyn Kortge. “The person who is singing it has to have a ton of stamina.”

For Kortge, working with Miller is a musical reunion. The two first became acquainted more than a decade ago when he was a student at Mount Desert Island High School, where Kortge still teaches performing arts.

Miller said he got involved in musical productions at his mom’s urging. He earned recognition for his musical talents in high school, such as being named Best Male Vocalist his senior year at the Maine State Jazz Festival.

Kortge, said Miller, was “very good at pushing me to do more than I might on my own,” and it was in part thanks to her suggestion that he went on to attend the University of Southern Maine’s School of Music.

Chorale founder and director emeritus Mary Cheyney Gould, who directed the 1988 production and will play the organ this year, had long wanted to perform “Elijah” again. Kortge, however, said she didn’t initially know who she could find to fill the lead role.

Kortge happened to encounter Miller’s vocal instructor at a music conference, though, and asked her if Miller was up to taking on the role of Elijah. The instructor said yes.

“I’m very appreciative,” said Miller. “It’s not an opportunity that young singers get very often.”

Miller said he is flattered to have been entrusted with the role, adding that it is a “really good one to have on your resume.”

Kortge, now in her 11th season as the chorale’s director, said the oratorio tells the epic biblical story of the prophet Elijah and his trials and triumphs. Fires, earthquakes and droughts take place, and at the end Elijah ascends into heaven on a fiery chariot.

“Anything you can imagine, it’s in this oratorio,” said Kortge. “It’s a pretty wild and hairy story.”

The chorale’s 90-plus members have been rehearsing for “Elijah” weekly since January. Kortge hired Miller last year, as well as instrumentalists and the other soloists.

Those soloists include soprano lead Luette Saul, mezzo-soprano Shannon Rolbiechi and tenor Francis John Voigt.

In order to accommodate the additional performers, the chorale will not be performing at its usual venue in Blue Hill and is instead traveling to Ellsworth and Deer Isle.

“Elijah” will be performed at The Grand in Ellsworth on Friday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be ordered through The Grand box office or at www.grandonline.org.

On Sunday, May 6, the chorale will travel to The Reach Performing Arts Center in Deer Isle for a 3 p.m. performance. The suggested donation is $15.

Additionally, there will be an open dress rehearsal at The Grand on Thursday, May 3, at 7 p.m., with a suggested donation of $10.

For more arts & entertainment news, pick up a copy of The Ellsworth American.