Saint François d'Assise
A project by Kent Nagano and Georges Delnon
Why love the ugly? Praise the natural? Beg for the privilege of experiencing suffering? – Between dream world and faith, half here, half there, music speaks; far removed from reality, it resounds with truth: “You are love. You are wisdom. You are humility. You are patience. You are beauty… You are all our riches in abundance…” – The music follows the colors, the wonders, the birds, to find and share the growing grace in the human soul. – A monumental work. The culmination of a lifetime's work, which leads the synesthete Messiaen, who described himself as a composer, ornithologist, and rhythmist, back to his beginnings with the famous sermon to the birds by Pope Francis: “Listen to the birds, they are great masters,” his composition teacher advised him.
Musical Direction: Kent Nagano
Stage Direction: Georges Delnon
Scenography: Thomas Jürgens
Costumes: Julia Mottl
Video: Marcus Richardt
Camera: David Rankenhohn
Lighting: Stefan Bolliger
Dramaturgy: Janina Zell, Ralf Waldschmidt
Chorus Master: Martin Steidler