Brother Fire: Francis of Assisi as a compelling stage experience in Ulm
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Brother Fire: Francis of Assisi – a radiant stage experience at St. Elisabeth
On October 17, 2026, the life of Francis of Assisi will unfold in the church of St. Elisabeth in Ulm, creating a profound interplay of readings, organ music, and visual art. The event commemorates the 800th anniversary of the famous saint's death, blending literary narrative artistry with a spiritual atmosphere.
Literature meets vibrant stage art
At the center are texts from Luise Rinser's novel about Francis, Brother Fire. The novel approaches Francis of Assisi not as a transcendent legendary figure, but as a contradictory and searching human being. From the wealthy merchant's son, he transforms into a radical drop-out, whose life choices continue to raise questions about possession, compassion, and social responsibility to this day.
The reading will be presented by Kay Metzger, former artistic director of the Ulm Theater. His acting skills lend a distinct dramatic contour to the literary passages: words leap from the page, condense into inner images, and guide the audience deep into the spiritual world of Francis.
Organ sounds and sacred theatrical atmosphere
Dr. Andreas Weil will provide musical impulses on the organ. In the acoustics of the church space, the sounds unfold a unique depth: music and language encounter each other, respond to one another, and create an atmospheric resonance space for the performance. The direction and leadership are in the hands of Dr. Oliver Schütz.
The stage design emerges from the space itself. Light, church architecture, and sound create a concentrated theatrical atmosphere, in which the life story of Francis of Assisi does not appear museum-like but resonates as a contemporary spiritual and societal experience.
The Canticle of the Sun as a visual trace
Marianne Hollenstein complements the reading with paintings related to Francis' Canticle of the Sun. Her works will be on display in the church for three weeks following the event. This way, literary dramaturgy is connected with a visual dimension: colors, shapes, and sound open a sensory access to a text that describes creation as an interconnected world.
The performance thus brings together multiple arts: literature, acting, organ music, and painting engage in a dialogue. This very connection gives the evening its special character and transforms it into more than just a classic reading.
An evening between memory and presence
Francis of Assisi embodies an attitude of life that centers simplicity, peacefulness, and closeness to the poor. Luise Rinser's novel poses the question of what impact this attitude can have in the modern world. In Ulm, it becomes a quiet, powerful stage experience with spiritual aftereffects.
Conclusion: Visitors can expect an atmospheric reading with music and art, supported by impressive church acoustics and a multifaceted literary basis. Those who want to experience Francis of Assisi as a historical figure and as a contemporary stimulus will find an evening full of sound, color, and concentrated stage presence at St. Elisabeth.
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- Website: https://st-elisabeth-ulm.de/
