Capinera (Italian for "Blackcap") Upon entering caves at the Carceri (just east of Assisi), Messiaen heard the call of the capinera. Francis often retreated to these caves for meditation and prayer, thus the choice of the capinera is fitting. L’Ange – Gerygone This yellow-bellied warbler from New Caledonia signals nearly every entrance and exit of the Angel. Messiaen scored the gerygone with a staccato piccolo alternating with glockenspiel and xylophone. In some cases, the kestrel birdcall accompanies the gerygone. Frère Elie – Notou Francis' most contrarian brother, Elias, receives the birdcall of this "gloomy sounding pigeon" from New Caledonia. Frère Bernard – Philemon (or "friarbird") The philemon birdcall (most likely recorded in New Caledonia) reflects Bernardo's age and wisdom while punctuating his musical and textual phrases. Messiaen devotes the entire sixth scene ("La Prêche aux oiseaux" or, The Sermon to the Birds) to all manner of birdsong as Francis delivers his famous sermon with Brother Masseo in attendance. Orchestra Messiaen's full orchestration requires more than 110 musicians, placing great demands on budgets as well as orchestra pit space. At the Palais Garnier, the overflow of players were placed in boxes adjacent to the stage. Woodwinds: 3 piccolos, 3 flutes, 1 alto flute, 3 oboes, 1 English horn, 2 E clarinets, 3 clarinets, 1 bass clarinet, 1 contrabass clarinet, 3 bassoons, 1 contrabassoon Brass: 6 horns in F, 1 small trumpet in D, 3 trumpets, 4 trombones, 2 bass tubas, 1 contrabass tuba Strings: 16 first violins, 16 second violins, 14 violas, 12 cellos and 10 double basses Percussion (5 players): Player 1: bells, claves, eoliphone, snare drum Player 2: triangle, claves, 6 temple blocks, very small cymbal, small cymbal, suspended cymbal Player 3: triangle, claves, wood block, whip, a pair of maracas, a reco reco or guiro, glass chimes, shell chimes, wood chimes, tambourine, 3 gongs Player 4: triangle, claves, set of crotales, large suspended cymbal, suspended cymbal, medium tom-tom, low tom-tom, 3 tam-tams Player 5: set of bells, metal sheet, claves, geophone, eoliphone, bass drum In addition to these, pitched percussion instruments are also used: one xylophone, one xylorimba, one marimba, one glockenspiel and one vibraphone, as well as three Ondes Martenot which the composer described in his interview with Claude Samuel as being 'very rare in an opera!'. Chorus The opera requires a ten-part, 150-voice choir, which serves a twofold role: Greek chorus and divine presence. Throughout the