Saint François d'Assise (2009)
Messiaen's breathtakingly intense opera on the life of St Francis of Assisi stars Rod Gilfry as the charismatic visionary, beguiled by the glory of creation, yet fearful of both its imperfections and its transience. Pierre Audi's thoroughly engaging production for The Netherlands Opera brings out the naive imagery, the grandeur, and above all the vast tenderness of the resplendent score, revealed as a grandiose ritual with the meaning and purpose of life as its central theme. But the real drama of the work takes place in the orchestra. Elevated to stupendous heights by the sublimely inspired Ingo Metzmacher, The Hague Philharmonic and the Chorus of De Nederlandse Opera combine forces with a brilliant cast to produce the finest possible musical pilgrimage.
Director: Pierre Audi
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Camilla Tilling as L'Ange |
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Rodney Gilfry as Saint François |
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Hubert Delamboye as Le Lépreux |
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Henk Neven as Frère Léon |
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Tom Randle as Frère Massée |
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Donald Kaasch as Frère Élie |
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Armand Arapian as Frère Bernard |
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Jan Willem Baljet as Frère Sylvestre |
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André Morsch as Frère Rufin |
| Sound | Olivier Messiaen | Original Music Composer |
| Directing | Pierre Audi | Stage Director |
| Sound | Ingo Metzmacher | Music Director |
| Lighting | Jean Kalman | Lighting Design |
| Art | Jean Kalman | Set Designer |
| Directing | Pierre Audi | Director |
| Sound | Olivier Messiaen | Music |
| Writing | Olivier Messiaen | Writer |
