Richard Todd <[log in to unmask]> writes:

>I've just opened a 4-CD DG recording of Messiaen's Saint Francoise
>d'Assise and am about to listen to it.  Have any other list members
>heard it? Until recently I wasn't even aware that M.  had written
>any operas.  Shows you how much I know!

(It's Francois, by the way; Francoise is a woman's name.)

I think it's extraordinary, in many ways the culmniation of Messiaen's
career.  It got lukewarm reviews when it was first produced, in part
because as an opera it's immensely static.

One thing I love about it is that, despite being thoroughly modern, it is
so 'gettable' -- themes reappear dozens of times, and one at a time, so
they're easily recognizable.  The vocal writing is quite interesting --
whenever there's singing, the orchestra plays in rhythmic unison with the
voice.  Then there will be a little pause setting that off from an
orchestral response.  I find it a very effective way of emphasizing the
text.

Let us know what you think of it!

Dan Schmidt | http://www.dfan.org