Saint François d'Assise

Saint François d'Assise (St Francis of Assisi) (Messiaen). Libretto by comp.; 3 acts (8 tableaux); first performance Paris 1983, conducted by Seiji Ozawa.

St Francis explains to Friar Léon that only through suffering can man reach perfect joy. St Francis prays to God that he will be able to overcome his natural revulsion at the sight of ugliness. He is enabled to embrace a Leper, thus curing him. The Angel comes to the monastery in search of St Francis, who recognizes him as a messenger from God. St Francis prays to experience the pain Christ experienced on the cross and to feel the love in his heart which made it possible for Christ to die in peace. This is granted to him and he bears the stigmata. As he nears death, the Angel and the Leper come to visit him.