Details

Blanche, the timid daughter of an aristocrat, joins the Carmelite order of nuns, against the wishes of her family. In the monastery she meets Constance, a lively peasant girl, who makes a shocking prophecy. The terror and turbulence of the French Revolution provides the backdrop for Francis Poulenc's powerful opera of faith, bravery and redemption. Poulenc created the libretto for Dialogues des Carm?lites after a play of the same name by writer Georges Bernanos and the opera was given its premiere at La Scala, Milan, in 1957. It arrived at Covent Garden the following year, with a cast that featured Dame Joan Sutherland in the role of the courageous Mother Marie of the Incarnation. Running time: 3hrs (inclu one interval), Sung in French with English surtitles

Cast/Performers

Sally Matthews (Blanche), Sally Matthews (Blanche de la Force), Anna Prohaska (Sister Constance), Emma Bell (Madame Lidone), Sophie Koch (Mother Marie), Deborah Polaski (Madame de Croissy), Thomas Allen (Marquis de la Force), Yann Beuron (Chevalier de la Force), Elizabeth Sikora (Mother Jeanne), Catherine Carby (Sister Mathilde), Alan Oke (Father Confessor), David Butt Philip (First Commissary), Michel de Souza (Second Commissary), Ashley Riches (First Officer), Craig Smith (Gaoler)

Creatives/Company

Music: Francis Poulenc
Producer: Royal Opera
Conductor: Simon Rattle
Director(s): Robert Carsen, Philippe Giraudeau (movement)
Design: Michael Levine
Costume: Falk Bauer
Lighting: Jean Kalman
Company(s): Royal Opera Chorus, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House