BBC Proms - 2008 - Prom 70: Messiaen's St Francis of Assisi - Prom 70 - Part 1

From the Royal Albert Hall, London. Presented by Tom Service. A performance of the only opera Messiaen ever wrote - a grand exploration of the life of St Francis of Assisi. In it, St Francis undertakes his spiritual journey, guided by an angel, embracing a leper, preaching to the birds - who sing authentic Umbrian birdsongs Messiaen collected at Assisi - receiving the stigmata (the wounds of Christ) and finally being received into Heaven. Messiaen: Saint Francis of Assisi (concert performance; sung in French): Part 1 The Netherlands Opera: St Francis ...... Rod Gilfry Angel ...... Heidi Grant Murphy Leper ...... Hubert Delamboye Brother Leo ...... Henk Neven Brother Masseo ...... Charles Workman Brother Elias ...... Donald Kaasch Brother Bernard ...... Armand Arapian Brother Sylvester ......Jan Willem Balijet Brother Rufus ...... Andre Morsch Chorus of The Netherlands Opera The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra Ingo Metzmacher (conductor).