Dialogues of the Carmelites opera

[PazzoGrande]

Does anyone know much about how this opera portrays the Church and the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne? Also how accurate is it in terms of a hagiographical work?

It’s going to play soon where I am and I’m interested in watching it, and the articles I’ve read don’t give me the answers I’m looking for.

 

[Verbum]

Hi Pazzo,

As I remember, Dialogue des Carmélites is very respectful and deeply spiritual. Musically, it is nothing like the more popular Italian operas with catchy arias. You could almost call it church music. I donLt know how accurate it is, but one should not expect strict biography from a work of this nature.

Verbum

 

[PazzoGrande]

Hi Pazzo,

As I remember, Dialogue des Carmélites is very respectful and deeply spiritual. Musically, it is nothing like the more popular Italian operas with catchy arias. You could almost call it church music. I donLt know how accurate it is, but one should not expect strict biography from a work of this nature.

Verbum

Cool, thanks. Lucky you though, you know French. I think I’ll have to bring the libretto with a translation with me just so I can understand what the heck is going on!

 

[Operalan]

If you are seeing this in a regular opera house, you will most likely not need the libretto as surtitles will be used. If this is a university production, then the libretto might come in handy—although, even some colleges are using the projected translated texts. In addition, this opera is a bit of a rarity. Poulenc had no problems with the piece being performed in English in English speaking countries (he even supported that). I know of at least one major US company that will perform the piece in English in the next few seasons and I believe even the Met has done so in the past. It is a powerful and moving piece and I see no problems with anyone seeing it. Great faith is shown by the nuns–especially in the very moving finale.
Oh, and I must add, I’m thrilled to see opera being discussed here. We sometimes here of entertainers who are Catholics but rarely hear about those who are classically trained. I know they exist and I’d like to be able to support them.

 

[PazzoGrande]

If you are seeing this in a regular opera house, you will most likely not need the libretto as surtitles will be used. If this is a university production, then the libretto might come in handy—although, even some colleges are using the projected translated texts. In addition, this opera is a bit of a rarity. Poulenc had no problems with the piece being performed in English in English speaking countries (he even supported that). I know of at least one major US company that will perform the piece in English in the next few seasons and I believe even the Met has done so in the past. It is a powerful and moving piece and I see no problems with anyone seeing it. Great faith is shown by the nuns–especially in the very moving finale.
Oh, and I must add, I’m thrilled to see opera being discussed here. We sometimes here of entertainers who are Catholics but rarely hear about those who are classically trained. I know they exist and I’d like to be able to support them.

Yeah I checked, you’re right, they will have English subtitles projected. The Hawaii Opera Theater is doing the production, right in time for Lent. I’m looking forward to it!

Thanks for your response.