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.
Directed by Pierre Audi
Your score–
Not scoredImages
Cast
Related
Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould
Coda
Battle of the Year
Maria
The Tales of Hoffmann
Francesco
Teen Spirit
Amadeus
La Vie en Rose
Hounddog
Grace Unplugged
The Seventh Veil
Jesus
Copying Beethoven
Mozart, l'Opéra Rock
Beyond the Sea