BRATTLEBORO — On Saturday, May 11, opera fans will have a rare opportunity to experience a Met: Live in HD performance of Francis Poulenc's The Dialogues of the Carmelites, at the Latchis Theatre, 50 Main St., at noon.
The Dialogues was created in 1955 and is based on historical fact.
“Today, 40 individuals had their heads cut off, including 16 Carmelite nuns from Compiègne.”
This statement, dated July 17, 1794, comes from the diary of 69-year-old Celestin Guittard de Floriban, an avid fan of public guillotining.
The French Revolution was relentlessly harsh toward contemplative religious orders - Voltaire made the dismissive remark that “They eat, they pray, they digest.”
In 1792-1793, the monarchy was toppled, and the ensuing National Assembly adopted a policy of terror. The Carmelites of Compiègne were convicted of counter-revolutionary offenses and, after a perfunctory trial, sentenced to death.
The sisters went sequentially to their deaths singing the Laudate Dominum. After 15 beheadings, only a single voice was heard, and then silence fell.
Music director Yannick Nezet-Segiun concludes his first season at the helm of the Metropolitan Opera's orchestra. Isabel Leonard and Adrienne Pieczonka sing the leading roles of Blanche de la Force and the new Prioress, Madame Liodine. Karita Mattila portrays the ailing first prioress Madame de Criossy.
The cast also includes Karen Cargill as Mother Marie, Erin Morley in the role of Sister Constance, David Portillo as Blanche's brother, the Chevalier de la Force, and Jean-Francois Lapointe in his Met debut as the Marquis de la Force.
Renee Fleming is the Live in HD host. Running time is 3 hours, 30 minutes including one intermission.