Salzburg Festival Presents New Production of Messiaen's Saint François d'Assise
2 sources across 2 countries · Germany · Spain
Who reported this
- Frankfurter Allgemeine
- El Pais
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- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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The Salzburg Festival has staged a new production of Olivier Messiaen's only opera, Saint François d'Assise, marking the work's return to the Austrian city after 28 years. Directed by Romeo Castellucci, the production is performed at the Felsenreitschule and features Philippe Sly in the title role, with Sean Panikkar and Russell Braun also appearing in the cast. The opera is described as a comprehensive synthesis of Messiaen's musical techniques, which were influenced by his interests in ornithology, rhythms, and religious faith. One notable scene depicts Saint Francis overcoming his disgust for a leper, a sequence that includes a stark portrayal of a frail, elderly man being washed by the saint. While the center left coverage focuses on the artistic and biographical influences of Messiaen, the center right coverage frames the production as a personal triumph for former festival director Markus Hinterhäuser, who was recently removed from his position by the festival board.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- The coverage focuses on the composer's biography, his intellectual influences, and the artistic nature of the opera.
- Centre-right
- The coverage frames the production as a professional victory for a dismissed director and discusses the religious and ethical implications of the staging.
Sources
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