Messiaen: Saint François d’Assise

• Opera

Famous French composer Olivier Messiaen described birds as »the greatest artists among all creatures«, and included birdsong in some of his works. That connects him with St Francis of Assisi, who, legend has it, preached to the birds and praised the Lord’s Creation. It was only logical, then, that Messiaen should dedicate to the founder of the Franciscan order his biggest and most all-embracing composition: the opera »Saint François d’Assise«. Kent Nagano and the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra perform it tonight at the Elbphilharmonie.

PERFORMERS

Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg orchestra

Audi Jugendchorakademie choir

LauschWerk choir

Jacques Imbrailo Bariton

Anna Prohaska soprano

Anthony Gregory Tenor

Kartal Karagedik baritone

Dovlet Nurgeldiyev tenor

Andrew Dickinson tenor

David Minseok Kang Bass

Florian Eggers Bass

Niklas Mallmann Bass

Kent Nagano conductor

Georges Delnon staging

Thomas Jürgens scenography

Julia Mottl costumes

Janina Zell, Ralf Waldschmidt dramaturgy

Marcus Richardt film

Stefan Bolliger lights

Martin Steidler choir director

PROGRAM

Olivier Messiaen
Saint François d’Assise