Le Deluge, Op. 45: Prelude [Detailed Instrumentation: String Orchestra (8-8-5-5-5 in set)]

Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921) composed the French oratorio Le Deluge (The Flood), Op. 45 in 1875. Using a libretto (a "poeme biblique") by Louis Gallet, it tells the biblical story of Noah and the flood. In three parts with a Prelude, the full oratorio premiered on March 5, 1876, at the Theatre du Chatelet under Edouard Colonne. Despite often being included among Saint-Saens' best works, the oratorio is rarely performed. The Prelude, however, which includes a passage for solo violin, is more often extracted for concert performances. A string count of 8-8-5-5-5 is included in the set.