Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)

Saint François d'Assise (1975 -1983)

Franciscan scenes, Opera in 3 acts and 8 tableaux, for 7 solo singers, mixed choir and very large orchestra


stage work

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1975 - 1983
    • Duration: 4 h 20 mn
    • Publisher: Alphonse Leduc
Detailed formation
  • soloists: 2 solo baritones, 3 solo tenors, 1 solo soprano, 3 solo bass voices
  • mixed choir(15 soprano, 15 soprano [2], 15 mezzo-soprano, 15 contralto, 15 contralto [2], 15 tenor, 15 tenor [2], 15 baritone, 15 bass voice, 15 bass voice [2]), 7 flutes, 4 oboes, 8 clarinets, 4 bassoons, 6 horns, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 3 tubas, 5 percussionists, 1 xylophone, 1 xylorimba, 1 marimba, 1 glockenspiel, 1 vibraphone, 1 ondes Martenot, 16 violins, 16 second violins, 14 violas, 12 cellos, 10 double basses

Premiere information

  • Date: 28 November 1983
    Location:

    Opéra de Paris


    Performers:

    José Van Dam (Saint François), Michel Philippe (Frère Léon), Kenneth Riegel (le lépreux), Christiane Eda-Pierre (l’ange), choeur et orchestre de l’opéra de Paris, Seiji Ozawa.

Table of contents

Acte I : La Croix - Les Laudes - Le Baiser aux Lépreux

Acte II : L’Ange voyageur - L’Ange musicien - Le Prêche au oiseaux

Acte III : Les Stigmates - La Mort et la nouvelle vie.