A new artistic celebration of St. Francis of Assisi
The Francis Oratorio by Richard Danielpour is a major artistic work commissioned to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi in 2026. This 70-minute oratorio, composed of eight scenes, highlights pivotal moments in Francis’s life—his love of nature, reverence for other faiths, advocacy for the poor, and call to peace—while honoring the role of women in his vision of authentic Christian life. The libretto by Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, and staging and performances by distinguished artists from UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music bring this story to life through powerful music and visual storytelling.
The world premiere will take place in Buffalo, New York, on October 10–11, 2026, with future performances planned in Los Angeles and Assisi. Dedicated to the memory of Pope Francis, this work is envisioned as a gift to the world—using art to inspire justice, peace, and care for creation across religious and civic communities.
This 70-minute oratorio, composed of eight scenes, highlights pivotal moments in Francis’s life—his love of nature, reverence for other faiths, advocacy for the poor, and call to peace—while honoring the role of women in his vision of authentic Christian life. The libretto by Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, and staging and performances by distinguished artists from UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music bring this story to life through powerful music and visual storytelling.
The world premiere will take place in Buffalo, New York, on October 10–11, 2026, with future performances planned in Los Angeles and Assisi. Dedicated to the memory of Pope Francis, this work is envisioned as a gift to the world—using art to inspire justice, peace, and care for creation across religious and civic communities.
Project update
The composer, Dr. Richard Danielpour, has completed the score, which is now being printed under the direction of Dr. Anthony Constantino. Rehearsals for soloists and the narrator have begun at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is preparing publicity and ticket information. We will share updates as soon as they are available.
Save the dates: October 10 & 11, 2026
Mark your calendars! The world premiere of Francis: An Oratorio will take place at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, conducted by JoAnn Falletta, the internationally recognized conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
A celebration of the Franciscan Jubilee
The Franciscan Federation and the AFCU will host a special gathering in Buffalo to coincide with the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis. This premiere will serve as the centerpiece of the celebration.
Pope Leo XIV has inaugurated 2026 as a Franciscan Jubilee Year, honoring his beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, to whose memory the oratorio is dedicated. Franciscans across North America—in the U.S. and Canada—are encouraged to join in marking this special moment of joy and renewal.
Support the oratorio
The Oratorio project continues to welcome contributions toward the composer’s commission and printing costs. An additional $15,000 is needed to reach our goal. Please contact Sr. Margaret Carney for more information on donations.
Our deepest thanks go to the many individuals, Franciscan provinces, and congregations who have already given so generously.
Who’s Who for Francis: An Oratorio
Composer:
Dr. Richard Danielpour, Distinguished Professor of Music, UCLA
(visit the composer’s website to learn more about his award-winning work in modern American music: www.richarddanielpour.com)
Libretto:
Margaret Carney, OSF, President Emeritus, St. Bonaventure University
Narrator:
Claudia Christian
Solo – Francis:
Edward Nelson
Solo – Clare:
Anna Schubert
UCLA Chorus Director:
James Bass
UCLA Opera Director:
James Darrah
Conductor:
JoAnn Falletta, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
What is an oratorio?
Some are not certain of the difference between an opera and an oratorio. An opera is a complete drama set to music. The story is acted on stage and includes costumes, stage sets, lighting, and other theatrical elements.
An oratorio is a presentation of sacred texts set to music. The performance typically consists of soloists and chorus on stage in formal dress, without acting, costumes, or full staging.
However, the Francis Oratorio will be staged with special lighting, minimalistic costumes, and a narrating angel who will connect aspects of the story of Francis for the audience. (A familiar example of an oratorio is Handel’s Messiah, often performed during the Christmas season.)
About composer Richard Danielpour
If you are not familiar with the work of Richard Danielpour, we encourage you to visit his website and explore his compositions.
His recent collaboration with JoAnn Falletta, The Passion of Yeshua, offers a remarkable presentation of the last day in the life of Jesus. The libretto presents Jesus and his disciples in a way that emphasizes their Jewish identity, with particular care taken to include major arias by Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus.
This work received three Grammy nominations, and its recording was honored with a Grammy Award in 2020.