LEGENDS

Program

In 2011, a forgotten work, a sacred oratorio written in 1891 by Gounod in the twilight of his life, was revived. Gounod had, many years earlier, hesitated between careers in music and the Church. The inspired diptych describes Saint Francis of Assisi, firstly in his cell, then, as death approaches, in a second, more monastic and sparse development, leading to a serene conclusion. At less than hour, the work is unusually short and is scored with restrained lyricism and a moving sobriety. The lyrical tenor Stanislas de Barbeyrac plays Saint Francis, lending to his voice to the long-neglected score, prolonging the pleasure of this fabulous rediscovery with accentus and the Paris Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Laurence Equilbey. The concert will be recorded.

COPRODUCTION FESTIVAL D’AUVERS-SUR-OISE, ORCHESTRE DE CHAMBRE DE PARIS, PHILHARMONIE DE PARIS, ACCENTUS