Composer

:

Van Dijk

Genre

:

Vocal

Average_duration

:

4:54

Santo Francesco is a choral work composed by Dutch composer Louis Andriessen and librettist Peter Greenaway. The piece was commissioned by the city of Assisi, Italy, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the birth of St. Francis of Assisi. It premiered on October 4, 1982, in the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi. The work is divided into three movements, each focusing on a different aspect of St. Francis' life and teachings. The first movement, "The Sermon to the Birds," is a setting of a text in which St. Francis preaches to a group of birds. The music is characterized by its use of repetitive patterns and minimalist techniques, with the choir and orchestra often repeating the same phrases over and over again. The second movement, "The Stigmata," is a more contemplative piece that reflects on St. Francis' experience of receiving the wounds of Christ. The music is more subdued and introspective, with long, sustained chords and a sense of stillness and meditation. The final movement, "The Canticle of the Sun," is a setting of St. Francis' famous hymn in which he praises God for the beauty of creation. The music is joyful and celebratory, with lively rhythms and bright, colorful harmonies. Overall, Santo Francesco is a powerful and moving tribute to one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic tradition. Andriessen's music and Greenaway's libretto capture the spirit of St. Francis' teachings and offer a profound meditation on the nature of faith, love, and the beauty of the natural world.

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