Dialogues des Carmélites

Dialogues des Carmélites or the rhetoric of martyrdom

A tragic and little-known episode of the French Revolution, the true story of a religious community guillotined during the Reign of Terror inspired the writer Georges Bernanos to create the character of Blanche de la Force, this drama's unwitting heroine. Blanche wishes to enter a convent, leave her family, break with a life that has been mapped out for her, and plunge into the unknown, at the risk of total self-sacrifice. It is not a struggle, but a surrender to something greater than herself, while all around her noise and fury erupt. With this powerfully moving work, dramatist Tiphaine Raffier makes a sensational debut in the world of opera. She has chosen to present Francis Poulenc's masterpiece in its most radical and contemporary form, relating how Blanche's courage gradually merges with that of the entire community as they make their way to the guillotine in one of the most moving scenes in the entire operatic repertoire. This production does not present us with a flawless heroine, but a woman in search of the absolute and who, in defiance of the rigid codes of an aristocratic family and political fanaticism, resolves to remain faithful to her commitment until the very end.

A film, a book and a lecture to learn more:

• Thérèse (Alain Cavalier, 1986): A sober and contemplative film about the life of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and the painful parallels between faith and sacrifice. (to be discovered at Cinéma Cameo Commanderie, more information here)
• La Dernière à l'échafaud (Gertrud von Le Fort): The short story that inspired Bernanos, less well known but of great spiritual depth. (Julliard)
• Un procès sous la Terreur : la fin des Carmélites de Compiègne (17 July 1794): With Patrice Gueniffey, historian.
  Sat 24 Jan at 10 a.m. at the Opera House. (more information here)

VIP evening on 29 January
Are you a pass Culture beneficiary? On the 29 January, enjoy a VIP evening at the single price of €10 (places are limited)! Before the performance, enjoy a welcome drink, a tour of the Opéra, a meeting with the artists in the auditorium, and an introduction to the performance. To book, click here.

Duration
3 h 10 with interval

Prices
5 - 85 €

Show in French, surtitles
From 13 years

Dialogues des Carmélites, lyric drama in three acts

First performed at La Scala, Milan on 26 January 1957

Emmet Lavery, based on the play by Georges Bernanos,  itself inspired by a novella by Gertrude von Le Fort

Francis Poulenc

Normandy Rouen Opera Orchestra

Opéra national de Nancy-Lorraine

Marc Leroy-Calatayud

Renaud Madore

Virginie Déjos

Tiphaine Raffier

Hélène Jourdan

Caroline Tavernier

Catherine Galasso

Kelig Le Bars

Nicolas Morgan

Eddy Garaudel

Hélène Carpentier

Michèle Bréant

Marie-Adeline Henry

Claire Antoine

Helena Rasker

Matthieu Lécroart

Pierre Derhet

Kaëlig Boché

Aurélia Legay

Aline Martin

Christophe Sagnier

Stéphane Wattez

Benjamin Colin

* Soloists from the Opéra national de Nancy-Lorraine Chorus

Roméo Agratina,
Nabil Berrehil,
Baptiste Delon,
Délia Espinat Dief,
Gribouille Sorton