Dialogues of the Carmelites

Dialogues of the Carmelites ( in French, Dialogues des Carmélites, Opéra en trois actes et douze tableaux) is an opera by Francis Poulenc. In 1953, M. Valcarenghi approached Poulenc to commission a ballet for la Scala in Milan; when Poulenc found the proposed subject uninspiring, Valcarenghi suggested instead the screenplay by Georges Bernanos, based on the novella Die Letzte am Schafott (The Last on the Scaffold), by Gertrud von le Fort. Von le Fort's story was based in turn on historical events which took place at a Carmelite convent in Compiègne during the French revolution. Some sources credit Emmet Lavery as librettist or co-librettist, but others only say "With the permission of Emmet Lavery." According to the article by Ivry, cited below, Lavery owned the theatrical rights to the story, and following a legal judgement over the copyright, his name must be given in connection with all staged performances. The opera was first performed at la Scala on 26 January 1957.

Related Topics:
French - Opera - Francis Poulenc - 1953 - La Scala - Milan - Georges Bernanos - Gertrud von le Fort - Carmelite - Convent - Compiègne - French revolution - Emmet Lavery - Librettist - 26 January - 1957

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The Dialogues contributes to Poulenc's reputation as a composer especially of fine vocal music. The dialogues are largely set in recitative, with a melodic line that closely follows the text. The harmonies are lush, with the occasional wrenching twists that are characteristic of Poulenc's style. Poulenc's deep religious feelings are particularly evident in the gorgeous a cappella setting of Ave Maria in Act II, Scene II, and the Ave verum corpus in Act II, Scene IV.

Related Topics:
A cappella - Ave Maria - Ave verum corpus

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The libretto is unusually deep in its psychological study of the contrasting characters of Mère Marie de l'Incarnation and Blanche de la Force.

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The popularity of the Dialogues of the Carmelites appears to be growing. Two television productions are available on DVD. The original recording with Pierre Dervaux conducting is considered by some to be the finest audio version.

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