Olivier Messiaen: Saint Francois d'Assise Vol.8: Opera: Score

Saint Francois D'Assise is an Opera in three acts by Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992). Written in 1972 to 1983 it concerns the Catholic preacher Saint Francis of Assisi and displays the composer's devout Catholic faith. The third volume contains the complete third act of the Opera comprising the final two scenes; Stigma and Death and New Life. Despite his studies of Mozart and Wagner's operas Messiaen vowed that he would never compose one himself however he was eventually convinced by the French president. After feeling unworthy to dramatise either Christ's Passion or Resurrection he eventually chose to portray the life of SaintFrancis of Assisi whose life often reflected Christ's chastity humility poverty and suffering. This unique Opera by the individual Messiaen is a significant contribution to the repertoire and was notably semi-staged as part of the BBC proms series in 2008.

Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) is known for his unique composition style. Incorporating complex rhythms harmony melodies and his passion for ornithology his Opera Saint Francois D'Assise is no exception to the composer's popular distinctive style. Composed between 1975-1983 Saint Francois D'Assise displays the composer's devout Catholicism. The work is in three acts and eight scenes and both the music and libretto were written by Messiaen. Saint Francois D'Assise incorporates Messiaen's popular compositional techniques such as his modes of limited transposition use ofleitmotifs use of birdsong and an instrumentation for a huge orchestra. This piece also makes use of the composer's synesthesia. Saint Francois D'Assise is essential to all advanced Opera companies seeking to address a modern and varied performance work.

Orchestra Scores-Saint Francois D'Assise is an opera in 3 acts by Olivier Messiaen. This volume is part of the edition that includes the books with the full Orchestra scores as well as the explanations analysis and comments of each tableau. It is focused on the “Act 1 Tableau 2. Les laudes” which tells of the moment when Saint Francis his requests to God to meet a leper and to be able to love him. This tableau depicts Saint Francis and the “Mineurs Brothers” singing the morning service until the bells ring leaving Saint Francis alone to pray. It includes Saint Francis’ prayers some parts of Cantique descréatures on Brother Wind Sister Water Brother Fire and Mother Earth and the Sanctus. Based on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi this opera is set in Italy and is composed as per below: Act I: 1. La croix 2. Les laudes 3. Le baiser au lépreux Act II 4. L’ange voyageur 5. L’ange musicien 6. Le prêche aux oiseaux Act II 7. Les stigmates 8. La mort et la nouvelle vie This opera was first played at the Paris Opera in 1983. Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was a French organist and composer passionate about Ornithology and one of the most important composers of his century. Inspired by Japanese music he had a very special way of composing and his work can be identified by its complexity its diatonic aspect its harmony with limited transposition its colour and its additive rhythms. He composed many works related to ornithology and birdsong including the 'Bird Catalogue' in 7 volumes and the 'Treatise on Rhythm Colour and Ornithology' in 7 volumes.

Saint Francois D'Assise is an opera in 3 acts by Olivier Messiaen. This volume is focused on the Act II – 6. Le Prêche Aux Oiseaux which depicts a moment when he preached to the birds in Assisi. Saint Francis gives the birds his benediction to which they answer by a Concerto. Based on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi this opera is set in Italy and is composed as per below: Act I: 1. La croix 2. Les laudes 3. Le baiser au lépreux Act II 4. L’ange voyageur 5. L’ange musicien 6. Le prêche aux oiseaux Act II 7. Les stigmates 8. La mort et la nouvelle vie This opera was played at the Paris Opera in 1983. Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was a French organist and composer passionate about Ornithology and one of the most important composers of his century. Inspired by Japanese music he had a very special way of composing and his work can be identified by its complexity its diatonic aspect its harmony with limited transposition its colour and its additive rhythms. He composed many works related to ornithology and birdsong including the 'Bird Catalogue' in 7 volumes and the 'Treatise on Rhythm Colour and Ornithology' in 7 volumes.

L'Ange musicien-Saint François D'Assise is an opera in 3 acts by Olivier Messiaen. This volume is part of the edition that includes the books with the full Orchestra scores as well as the explanations analysis and comments of each tableau. It is focused on the “Act II 5. L'Ange musicien” which describes the appearance of the “Musician Angel” to Saint Francis. This tableau is introduced by St Francis on his knees next to the cave. Three themes stand out in the opening of this tableau: the Decision the Joyce and the Calling. Some bird songs can be heard and the Angel appears in the light with a Viol and a bow. TheAngel Musician plays alongside some birds and leave St Francis fainting. He is soon joined by Brother Léon Brother Massée and Brother Bernard who try to help him. The last theme played is the Joyce one with some notes on the Viol while the tableau finishes with the three Brothers looking at the sky. Based on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi this opera is set in Italy and is composed divided as per below: Act I: 1. La croix 2. Les laudes 3. Le baiser au lépreux Act II 4. L’ange voyageur 5. L’ange musicien 6. Le prêche aux oiseaux Act II 7. Les stigmates 8. La mort et la nouvelle vie This opera was played at the Paris Opera in 1983. Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was a French Organist and composer passionate about Ornithology and one of the most important composers of his century. Inspired by Japanese music he had a very special way of composing and his work can be identified by its complexity its diatonic aspect its harmony with limited transposition its colour and its additive rhythms. He composed many works related to ornithology and birdsongs including the 'Bird Catalogue' in 7 volumes and the 'Treatise on rhythm colour and ornithology' in 7 volumes.

Saint Francis of Assisi is an opera in 3 acts by Olivier Messiaen. This first volume is focused on the Act 1 – 1. La croix 2. Les laudes 3. Le baiser au lépreux. It depicts the moments when Saint Francis explains what is the 'Perfect Joy' according to the love of the Christ his request to God to meet a leper and to be able to love him and finally his meeting with a leper assisted by an Angel. The leper is cured from this meeting. Based on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi this opera is set in Italy and is composed as per below: Act I: 1. La croix 2. Les laudes 3.Le baiser au lépreux Act II 4. L’ange voyageur 5. L’ange musicien 6. Le prêche aux oiseaux Act II 7. Les stigmates 8. La mort et la nouvelle vie This opera was played at the Paris Opera in 1983. Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was a French organist and composer passionate about Ornithology and one of the most important composers of his century. Inspired by Japanese music he had a very special way of composing and his work can be identified by its complexity its diatonic aspect its harmony with limited transposition its colour and its additive rhythms. He composed many works related to ornithology and birdsong including the 'Bird Catalogue' in 7 volumes and the 'Treatise on rhythm colour and ornithology' in 7 volumes.