Adel Abdessemed Stages Olivier Messiaen's Opera Saint François d'Assise in Geneva
The Grand Théâtre de Genève is hosting Olivier Messiaen's opera Saint François d'Assise, originally composed in 1983, until April 18, 2024. Directed by Jonathan Nott and featuring staging by Adel Abdessemed, the production stars Robin Adams as Saint Francis, Claire de Sévigné as the Angel, and Aleš Briscein as the Leper. Abdessemed's vision incorporates a Moroccan dervish and disciples reminiscent of griots or Jedi, with the leper adorned in trash bags and light bulbs. Video projections highlight Christianity's Hebrew roots. The opera runs for 4 hours and 20 minutes (or 5 hours and 30 minutes with intermissions) and illustrates Francis healing a leper and receiving stigmata. Other ongoing performances include Médée at the Opéra national de Paris until May 11, 2024, and Liberté Cathédrale at the Théâtre du Châtelet until April 18, 2024.
Key facts
- Saint François d'Assise by Olivier Messiaen is performed at Grand Théâtre de Genève until April 18, 2024
- Visual artist Adel Abdessemed handles staging, scenography, and costumes
- Jonathan Nott conducts the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
- Robin Adams portrays Saint Francis, with Claire de Sévigné as the Angel and Aleš Briscein as the Leper
- The opera lasts 4 hours 20 minutes, based on 14th-century Fioretti anecdotes
- Abdessemed's design includes Moroccan burnous, tribal robes, and video projections of the Star of David
- A 150-voice chorus sings in the finale
- Other related performances include Médée in Paris and Liberté Cathédrale in Avignon
Entities
Artists
- Olivier Messiaen
- Adel Abdessemed
- Jonathan Nott
- Robin Adams
- Claire de Sévigné
- Aleš Briscein
- Jean Kalman
- Marc-Antoine Charpentier
- Thomas Corneille
- David McVicar
- William Christie
- Lea Desandre
- Jean-Marie Villégier
- Boris Charmatz
- Pina Bausch
- Phill Niblock
- Kurt Weill
- Ted Huffman
- Yshani Perinpanayagam
- Fra Angelico
- Philippe de Champaigne
- Steve Reich
- Richard Wagner
- Francisco Goya
- Maria Callas
- Béatrice Dalle
- Peaches
- Zinedine Zidane
- Marco Materazzi
- Étienne-Martin
Institutions
- Grand Théâtre de Genève
- Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
- Opéra national de Paris
- Palais Garnier
- Les Arts Florissants
- Arte
- Paris Opera Play
- English National Opera
- Théâtre du Châtelet
- Théâtre de la Ville
- Festival d'Avignon
- Tanztheater Wuppertal
- Compagnie de Pina Bausch
- Terrain
- Académie de l'Opéra de Paris
- MC93
- artpress
Locations
- Geneva
- Switzerland
- Algeria
- Paris
- France
- Tibhirine
- New Caledonia
- Avignon
- Bobigny
- New York
- Harlem
- Wuppertal
- Great Mosque of Paris
Sources
- artpress —