When Olivier Messiaen’s only opera, Saint François d’Assise, premiered in 1983, he called it a ‘musical spectacle‘. Across eight scenes, the work traces key moments from the life of Saint Francis and follows him on his spiritual path toward unity with God. Birds play a special role in this journey – as symbols of freedom, creation and the divine voice. A deeply devout man and lifelong admirer of birdsong, Messiaen wove their calls into his score, creating a sound world that seems to float between earth and heaven. Within the shimmering musical landscape of Saint François d’Assise, unusual rhythms and radiant colours burst into life. Drawing inspiration from these elements, the young people in this camp will weave in their own ideas to create entirely new musical and theatrical stories.