Dialogues of the Carmelites
Dialogues of the Carmelites ( in French, Dialogues des Carmélites) is an opera in three acts 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 in an Italian version at la Scala on 26 January 1957; the original French version premiered 21 June 1957 by the Paris Théâtre National de l'Opéra (the current Opéra National de Paris).
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.
The libretto is unusually deep in its psychological study of the contrasting characters of Mère Marie de l'Incarnation and Blanche de la Force.
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. The opera has recently been performed by Trinity College of Music, London, under the direction of Bill Bankes-Jones.
Roles
| Role | Vocal type | Milan premiere, 26 January, 1957 | Paris premiere, 21 June, 1957 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marquis de la Force | baritone | Scipio Colombo | Xavier Depraz |
| Chevalier de la Force, his son | tenor | Nicola Filacuridi | Jean Giraudeau |
| Blanche de la Force, his daughter | soprano | Virginia Zeani | Denise Duval |
| Thierry, a footman | baritone | Armando Manelli | Forel |
| Madame de Croissy, the prioress | contralto | Gianna Pederzini | Denise Scharley |
| Sister Constance of St. Denis, a young novice | soprano | Eugenia Ratti | Liliane Berthon |
| Mother Marie of the Incarnation, assistant prioress | mezzo-soprano | Gigliola Frazzoni | Rita Gorr |
| M. Javelinot, a doctor | baritone | Carlo Gasperini | Max Conti |
| Madame Lidoine, the new prioress | soprano | Leyla Gencer | Régine Crespin |
| Mother Jeanne of the Child Jesus | contralto | Vittoria Palombini | Fourrier |
| Sister Mathilde | mezzo-soprano | Fiorenza Cossotto | Desmoutiers |
| Father confessor of the convent | tenor | Alvino Manelli | Forel |
| First commissary | tenor | Antonio Pirino | Romagnoni |
| Second commissary | baritone | ||
| Officer | baritone | ||
| Geolier | baritone | ||
| Carmelites, Officers, Prisoners, Townspeople | chorus |
Plot synopsis
The action takes place during the French Revolution and subsequent Terror.
- Act I.
The pathologically timid Blanche de la Force decides to retreat from the world and enter a Carmelite convent. The Mother Superior informs her that the Carmelite order is not a refuge: it is the duty of the nuns to guard the Order, not the other way around. In the convent, the jolly Sister Constance tells Blanche (to her consternation) that she has had a dream that the two of them will die young together. The Mother Superior, who is dying, commits Blanche to the care of Mother Marie. The Mother Superior passes away in great agony, shouting in her delirium that despite her long years of service to God, He has abandoned her. Blanche and Mother Marie, who witness her death, are shaken.
- Act II.
Sister Constance remarks to Blanche that the Mother Superior's death seemed unworthy of her, and speculates that she had been given the wrong death, as one might be given the wrong coat in a cloakroom. Perhaps someone else will find death surprisingly easy. Perhaps we die not for ourselves alone, but for each other.
Blanche's brother, the Chevalier de la Force, arrives to announce that their father thinks Blanche should withdraw from the convent, since she is not safe there (being a member of both the nobility and the clergy). Blanche refuses, saying that she has found happiness in the Carmelite order, but later admits to Mother Marie that it is fear (or the fear of fear itself, as the Chevalier expresses it) that keeps her from leaving.
The chaplain announces that he has been forbidden to preach (presumably for being a non-juror under the Civil Constitution of the Clergy). The nuns remark on how fear now governs the country, and no one has the courage to stand up for the priests. Sister Constance asks, "Are there no men left to come to the aid of the country?" "When priests are lacking, martyrs are superabundant," replies the new Mother Superior. Mother Marie says that the Carmelites can save France by giving their lives, but the Mother Superior corrects her: it is not permitted to become a martyr voluntarily; martyrdom is a gift from God.
A police officer announces that the Legislative Assembly has nationalized the convent and its property, and the nuns must give up their habits. When Mother Marie acquiesces, the officer taunts her for being eager to dress like everyone else. She replies that the nuns will continue to serve, no matter how they are dressed. "The people has no need of servants," proclaims the officer haughtily. "No, but it has a great need for martyrs," responds Mother Marie. "In times like these, death is nothing," he says. "Life is nothing," she answers, "when it is so debased."
- Act III.
In the absence of the new Mother Superior, Mother Marie proposes that the nuns take a vow of martyrdom. However, all must agree, or Mother Marie will not insist. A secret vote is held; there is one dissenting voice. Sister Constance declares that she was the dissenter, and that she has changed her mind, so the vow can proceed. Blanche runs away from the convent, and Mother Marie finds her in her father's library. Her father has been guillotined, and Blanche has been forced to serve her former servants.
The nuns are all arrested and condemned to death, but Mother Marie is away (with Blanche, presumably) at the time. The chaplain tells Mother Marie that since God has chosen to spare her, she cannot now voluntarily become a martyr by joining the others in prison. The nuns march to the scaffold, singing Salve Regina. At the last minute, Blanche appears, to Constance's joy; but as she mounts the scaffold, Blanche changes the hymn to Deo patri sit gloria (All praise be thine, O risen Lord).
References and external links
- Carmel's Heights - This CD album is an attempt to share with all some of Carmel's Saints - real persons of flesh and blood - who share with us in song their own spiritual experiences.
- Cries from the Scaffold, Benjamin Ivry, Commonweal, 6 April 2001.
- Dialogues des Carmélites, Henri Hell, liner notes to the recording EMI compact disc no. 7493312.