Dialogues des Carmélites (Dialogues of the Carmelites) is a French opera in three acts, divided into twelve scenes with linking orchestral interludes, with music and libretto by Francis Poulenc, completed in 1956. The composer's second opera, Poulenc wrote the libretto after the work of the same name by Georges Bernanos. The opera tells a fictionalised version of the story of the Martyrs of Compiègne, Carmelite nuns who, in 1794 during the closing days of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution, were guillotined in Paris for refusing to renounce their vocation.
Date of composition | 1956 (1953-1956; after Georges Bernanos) |
Premiered | 1957, January 26th (La Scala) in Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy |
First published | 1957, Ricordi in Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy |
Type | Opera |
Catalogue | FP 159 |
Approx. duration | 150 minutes |
Spoken language | French |
Instruments |
Chorus/Choir
Orchestra Voice (Baritone) - Marquis de la Force Voice (Tenor) - Chevalier de la Force, his son Voice (Soprano) - Blanche de la Force/Sister Blanche of the Agony of Christ, his daughter Voice (Baritone) - Thierry, a footman Voice (Contralto) - Madame de Croissy, the prioress of the monastery Voice (Soprano) - Sister Constance of St. Denis, a young novice Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Mother Marie of the Incarnation, sub-prioress Voice (Baritone) - M. Javelinot, a doctor Voice (Soprano) - Madame Lidoine/Mother Marie of St. Augustine, the new prioress Voice (Contralto) - Mother Jeanne of the Holy Child Jesus, the oldest nun Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Sister Mathilde Voice (Tenor) - Chaplain of the monastery Voice (Tenor) - First commissioner Voice (Baritone) - Second commissioner Voice (Baritone) - Officer Voice (Baritone) - Jailer |
Links | |
Autotranslations beta |
Francis Poulenc: Dialogues des Carmélites, FP 159 Francis Poulenc: Dialogues des Carmélites, FP 159 Francis Poulenc: Dialogues des Carmélites, FP 159 |