Live animals and baking bread feature in Messiaen’s `Saint François d’Assise’ at Salzburg Festival

Sally Sly prepared physically for the challenging role of Saint François d’Assise, the title character in Olivier Messiaen’s monumental opera. The production, a 6-hour, 20-minute work, is set to open on August 4th during the Salzburg Festival’s 800th anniversary year of St. Francis’ death. Sly moved into the Capuchin monastery, about 1,550 feet above sea level, seven and a half weeks before the opening. He adheres to the monastery’s Franciscan traditions, including daily prayers and communal meals.

The opera, Messiaen’s only work, depicts St. Francis’ spiritual journey through eight tableaux, each lasting an hour, with two intermissions. The score features electronic instruments, reflecting the composer’s devotion to his Catholic faith. Sly will perform with a chorus of 90 and 120 musicians, including two raised percussion sections and three ondes Martenots.

The Salzburg Festival production incorporates a peacock, sheep, and a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog on stage, symbolizing the Franciscan tradition of offering bread to the poor. A pair of four-level ovens, each weighing 2,650 pounds, bake 33 sourdough loaves, with the aroma wafting through the audience. After the performance, the bread is distributed to the backstage crew.

Sly’s performance comes after extensive rehearsals, starting with five in Vienna followed by 12 more in Salzburg. The Vienna Philharmonic, known for classical works, is performing Messiaen’s contemporary opera, a rare occurrence. The production has only been staged once before, in San Francisco in 2002.