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

Presented by Louise Fryer. Part of 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 repeat of a celebrated 2008 Prom by Netherlands Opera, the programme features the second act of Messiaen's only opera, which culminates in the famous scene of his sermon to the birds, whose songs are depicted by a large orchestra. Messiaen: Saint Francois d'Assise (Act 2) 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).