Saint François d'Assise

Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) spent nearly eight years creating his sole opera, which perhaps explains its Wagnerian length. Presented by De Nederlandse Opera, this 2008 production runs well over four hours (Act 2 alone spans a full two), but feels even longer since the music is extremely slow, which befits a deeply religious work. Over the course of seven tableaux, Saint François d'Assise depicts Saint Francis's path to spiritual perfection, beginning with his embrace of a leper and continuing through his death and reception into heaven. The opera is filled with the sounds of woodblocks, gongs, and the electronic ondes Martenot favored by the composer, as well as echoes of the birdcalls that Messiaen catalogued and notated throughout his life (especially during the tableau of the holy man's preaching to the birds—played here by children whose colorful garb stands out against the stark set of scaffolding and wooden crosses). The piece calls for seven soloists, as well as a large orchestra and chorus, and all acquit themselves well here. Rod Gilfry and Henk Neven are outstanding in the demanding roles of Francis and Brother Léon, while the Hague Philharmonic (seated at the rear of the stage) and the opera chorus under Ingo Metzmacher meet all of the score's challenges. Saint François d'Assise is not an immediately accessible opera: the text is dense with Catholic symbolism, and the music's exotic instrumentation and unfamiliar meters challenge the ear. But while hardly a popular figure, Messiaen was certainly an influential one, and this rare performance of his magnum opus is an essential item for serious music libraries and should be of interest as well to fans of modern opera. Presented in DTS surround and LPCM stereo, DVD extras include an illustrated synopsis, cast gallery, behind the scenes interviews, and more. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)