Dialogues des Carmélites
Robert Carsen’s award-winning production of Poulenc’s sublime opera is set during the violent upheaval of the French Revolution.
When to see it
Booking for 29 May 2014 - 11 June 2014 opens
- Booking opens 14 January 2014 at 10.00am for General Public.
- Booking opens 11 December 2013 at 10.00am for Friends of Covent Garden.
- Booking opens 22 November 2013 at 10.00am for Supporting Friends.
- Booking opens 20 November 2013 at 10.00am for Premium 1 Friends.
- Booking opens 19 November 2013 at 10.00am for Premium 2 Friends.
Les dialogues des Carmelites
Thursday 29 May 2014, 7.30pm | Main Stage- Rattle
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Kožená
- Prohaska
- Bell
- Koch
- Polaski
- Allen
- Beuron
- Sikora
- Carby
- Oke
- Butt Philip
- de Souza
- Riches
- Smith
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les dialogues des Carmelites
Monday 2 June 2014, 7.30pm | Main Stage- Rattle
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Kožená
- Prohaska
- Bell
- Koch
- Polaski
- Allen
- Beuron
- Sikora
- Carby
- Oke
- Butt Philip
- de Souza
- Riches
- Smith
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les dialogues des Carmelites
Wednesday 4 June 2014, 7.30pm | Main Stage- Rattle
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Kožená
- Prohaska
- Bell
- Koch
- Polaski
- Allen
- Beuron
- Sikora
- Carby
- Oke
- Butt Philip
- de Souza
- Riches
- Smith
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les dialogues des Carmelites
Saturday 7 June 2014, 7.30pm | Main Stage- Rattle
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Kožená
- Prohaska
- Bell
- Koch
- Polaski
- Allen
- Beuron
- Sikora
- Carby
- Oke
- Butt Philip
- de Souza
- Riches
- Smith
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les dialogues des Carmelites
Monday 9 June 2014, 7.30pm | Main Stage- Rattle
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Kožená
- Prohaska
- Bell
- Koch
- Polaski
- Allen
- Beuron
- Sikora
- Carby
- Oke
- Butt Philip
- de Souza
- Riches
- Smith
- Royal Opera Chorus
Les dialogues des Carmelites
Wednesday 11 June 2014, 7.30pm | Main Stage- Rattle
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Kožená
- Prohaska
- Bell
- Koch
- Polaski
- Allen
- Beuron
- Sikora
- Carby
- Oke
- Butt Philip
- de Souza
- Riches
- Smith
- Royal Opera Chorus
Introduction
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.
Background
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 Carmélites 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.
Director Robert Carsen – who staged Falstaff at the Royal Opera House in 2012 – brings his intense and daring production of Dialogues des Carmélites to The Royal Opera for the first time. The starkly beautiful staging combines modern designs and period costumes with stunning lighting effects. It throws into relief Poulenc’s radiant and exhilarating score, which draws on the resources of a large orchestra (including two harps, a piano and even a guillotine). Dialogues des Carmélites culminates in one of opera’s most devastating final scenes, as Blanche embraces death with her fellow nuns to a transcendent setting of the hymn Salve Regina hymn.
Running time
About 3 hours | Including one interval
Language
Sung in French with English surtitles
Credits
| Director | Robert Carsen |
| Set designs | Michael Levine |
| Costume designs | Falk Bauer |
| Lighting design | Jean Kalman |
| Movement | Philippe Giraudeau |
Related links
- en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia: Dialogues des Carmélites
- www.inspiredminds.de Interview with director Robert Carsen
