CDVI. MESSIAEN, Olivier: Saint François d'Assise

CDVI. MESSIAEN, Olivier (1908-1992)

Saint François d'Assise (1975-1983)
Saint Francis: José van Dam
The Angel: Dawn Upshaw
The Leper: Christ Merritt
Brother Leo: Urban Malmberg
Brother Messeo: John Aler
Brother Elias: Guy Renard
Brother Bernard: Tom Krause
Brother Sylvester: Akos Banlaky
Brother Rufus: Dirk d'Ase
Hallé Orchestra
Arnold Schoenberg Chor
Kent Nagano, cond.
[scrolling score]
(3:55:06)

Messiaen's magnum opus.

Rolf Liebermann -- director of Paris Opera -- commissioned Messiaen to write an opera on a subject of his choice in 1971. The composer politely refused.

Rolf was a sly one. He arranged for Massiaen to be present at a state dinner at the Elysée Palace, hosted by then President Georges Pompidou. As they were sipping their coffee, Pompidou more or less gave an order:

"Messiaen, you will write an opera for the Opéra de Paris!"

Past blog entries have featured compositions about Messiaen's obsession with birds (see Posts CLVII and CCLXXXI) ... so St. Francis was a fitting subject, as he was "a friend of the birds."

Messiaen nearly worked himself to death on this, his only opera -- eight years in the making.

Read the synopsis here. Italy, 13th century.

A shout-out for the You-Tuber (Cmaj7 --  ) [s/he must be a bassoonist, trombonist or cellist!] for putting in all the English subtitles and time code!

A magnificent way to spend four hours.