The Grand Théâtre de Genève is taking on the opera after having given up on it in 2020 due to the pandemic. The composer's only opera has seen several new productions, all of which have faced the same question: is it an opera? In his overall work, Messiaen eliminated all external action to favor living paintings, in order to represent in eight stations the journey of grace in the soul of Saint Francis.
It is therefore tempting to call on, not a seasoned director, but a visual artist, to place this scintillating and contemplative fresco in a visual universe. This is how we owe the artist Adel Abdessemed humble images, which are so many installations and videos, often suggestive and rich in associations. An experience not to be missed. A challenge for any opera house, and a challenge for the Grand Thèâtre of Genèves as it prepares to stage the opera for the first time in 30 years. The opera starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 11:30 p.M.