Massenet is known for some of his operas, and a little for his piano concerto and the Alsatian suite.
Personally, I only moderately like his operas, on the other hand I really like the two oratorios that I know: The Virgin (entitled "Sacred Legend") from 1880, which tells the stages of Mary's life: The Annunciation, The Wedding at Cana, Good Friday, L'Assomption. Just before the Assumption is the only little known piece: the Prelude for orchestra entitled "the last sleep of the Virgin".
Marie-Magdeleine is entitled "sacred drama" for its first version created in 1873, then "lyric drama" for a revised version in 1906, which can be interpreted as an opera. Its 4 scenes (or acts) are La Magdaleene at the Fountain, Jesus at the Magdalenian, The Golgotha (the Magdalene at the Cross), The Tomb of Jesus and the Resurrection.
These two oratorios are magnificent.
Personally, I only moderately like his operas, on the other hand I really like the two oratorios that I know: The Virgin (entitled "Sacred Legend") from 1880, which tells the stages of Mary's life: The Annunciation, The Wedding at Cana, Good Friday, L'Assomption. Just before the Assumption is the only little known piece: the Prelude for orchestra entitled "the last sleep of the Virgin".
Marie-Magdeleine is entitled "sacred drama" for its first version created in 1873, then "lyric drama" for a revised version in 1906, which can be interpreted as an opera. Its 4 scenes (or acts) are La Magdaleene at the Fountain, Jesus at the Magdalenian, The Golgotha (the Magdalene at the Cross), The Tomb of Jesus and the Resurrection.
These two oratorios are magnificent.