Le martyre de Saint Sébastien

"Le martyre de Saint Sébastien", L 124 is a musical work by the French composer Claude Debussy.

Originally written in 1911 as incidental music for a mystery play on the subject of Saint Sebastian by Gabriele d'Annunzio, it exists today in two different formats: the full incidental music for orchestra and chorus (not unlike an oratorio), including linking narration (taken from the original play) and solo vocal parts (for a soprano and two altos) and a three movement orchestral work subtitled "Symphonic fragments". There are also two brass fanfares which are sometimes performed with the symphonic pieces. Some of the material was orchestrated by Andre Caplet.

"Symphonic Fragments"

#'La cour de Lys' (The Court of Lilies)
#'Danse extatique et final du premier acte' (Ecstatic Dance and Finale of the First Act)
#'Le bon pasteur' (The Good Shepherd)

Incidental Music

Following the Acts of the original play, each section is called a 'mansion'. The narrator sets the scene at the beginning of each section.
#The court of lilies
#The magic chamber
#The council of the false gods
#The wounded laurel
#Paradise

Recordings

The work has been recorded several times, in abridged format or with the symphonic music only. In 1993 the first full recording appeared, with soloists Ann Murray, Sylvia McNair, Nathalie Stutzmann, narrator Leslie Caron and the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas.