Afternoon on 3 - Towards Messiaen: The Stage - Episode 2

Presented by Louise Fryer. A series celebrating 100 years since the birth of Messiaen, with a focus on his music in context of French opera and ballet. As part of a full repeat of a celebrated 2008 Prom by Netherlands Opera, the programme features the first act of Messiaen's only opera, an epic vision of the life of St Francis of Assisi. Rameau: Zoroastre (excerpt) Veronique Gens (soprano) Les Talens Lyriques Christophe Rousset (director) Delibes: Coppelia (excerpts) BBC Concert Orchestra Barry Wordsworth (conductor) Messager: Les deux pigeons (excerpt from Act 1) BBC Concert Orchestra Barry Wordsworth (conductor) Dukas: La Peri BBC Symphony Orchestra Martyn Brabbins (conductor) Ravel: La valse BBC National Orchestra of Wales Jac van Steen (conductor) Milhaud: La creation du monde Ulster Orchestra Jean-Luc Tingaud (conductor) Messiaen: Saint Francois d'Assise (Act 1) Saint Francis ...... Rodney Gilfry (baritone) Angel ...... Heidi Grant Murphy (soprano) Leper ...... Hubert Delamboye (tenor) Brother Masseo ...... Charles Workman (baritone) Brother Leo ...... Henk Neven (baritone) Brother Elias ...... Donald Kaasch (tenor) Brother Bernard ...... Armand Arapian (baritone) Brother Sylvester ...... Jan Willem Baljet (baritone) Brother Rufus ...... Andre Morsch (baritone) Chorus of the Netherlands Opera The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra Ingo Metzmacher (conductor).