La voix humaine
| Operas by Francis Poulenc |
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Les mamelles de Tirésias (1947) |
La voix humaine (English: The Human Voice) is a one-act opera for one character, with music by Francis Poulenc to a libretto by Jean Cocteau, based on his 1930 play. La voix humaine was first performed at the Opéra-Comique, Salle Favart in Paris on 6 February 1959. Poulenc wrote the opera for Denise Duval, the French soprano, and the premiere was conducted by Georges Prêtre.
Other sopranos who have sung the role include Karan Armstrong, Dame Josephine Barstow, June Card, Carole Farley, Sarah Gabriel, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Dame Felicity Lott, Catherine Malfitano, Audra McDonald, Julia Migenes, Maralin Niska, Jessye Norman, Magda Olivero, Gerlinde Sämann, Renata Scotto, Anja Silja, Elisabeth Söderström, Phyllis Treigle, and Galina Vishnevskaya.
[edit] Synopsis
A young woman has been interrupted during a telephone call from her lover of five years. He has abandoned her and is to marry another woman the following day. This is the last time they will speak to each other. During the conversation, we learn that the woman has attempted suicide. The telephone service in Paris being notoriously poor during that era, they are interrupted several times during the agonizing conversation.
[edit] Discography
- La voix humaine, Denise Duval, Orchestre de l'Opéra-Comique, Georges Prêtre (EMI 1958)
- La voix humaine, Felicity Lott, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Armin Jordan (Harmonia Mundi 2001)
- La voix humaine and Menotti's The Telephone, Carole Farley, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, José Serebrier (DVD, Decca 1992)
[edit] Sources
- The Viking Opera Guide edited by Amanda Holden (Viking, 1993)
- Booklet notes to the Jordan recording
