Live animals and baking bread feature in Messiaen’s `Saint François d’Assise’ at Salzburg Festival
Summary
The Salzburg Festival in Austria is presenting Olivier Messiaen’s opera "Saint François d’Assise," which depicts the life of St. Francis. The production includes live animals on stage and features a complex musical score performed by a large orchestra and choir.Key Facts
- The opera "Saint François d’Assise" was composed by Olivier Messiaen and premiered in 1983.
- The production at the Salzburg Festival marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death.
- Philippe Sly, the lead singer, prepared by living in a monastery and adopting its daily routines.
- The opera lasts over 6 hours and includes two one-hour intermissions.
- The music includes electronic instruments called ondes Martenots, which are key in the "Sermon to the Birds" section.
- The production uses live animals like a wolfdog, peacock, and sheep on stage.
- Conductor Maxime Pascal leads 120 musicians and a 90-person choir in six performances.
- The staging takes place at the Felsenreitschule theater in Salzburg, Austria.
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