Poulenc Dialogues of the Carmelites: Finale

Finale to Poulenc's Opera Dialogues of the carmetiles as perormed by the metropolitan opera in the late 80's early 90's (not sure)

To this day, this is one of the most popular Met productions and unfortunately this telecast is not likely to be released on DVD.

It boasted the talents of Jessye Norman, Regin Crespin (in her Met farewell), Betsy Norden, Maria Ewing and Florence Quivar among others.

Hopefully posting this will inspire someone at the met to release this wonderful telecast on DVD.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Dialogues
• Carmelites
• Metropolitan
• opera
• Poulenc
• Maria
• Ewing

[jonfalkfalk]

Is this version with Regin Crespin available for purchase anywhere?

[tenore23]

@jonfalkfalk Unfortunately it is not available for purchase.

[LoudCitizen]

Can anyone explain exactly what the percussion section is doing to make the sound of the guillotine? It is so amazing.

[tenore23]

@LoudCitizen Sometimes the effect is done as simply as shredding paper in front of a microphone and then using a cutting board to receive the impact of something. I am not sure how the Met achieves the effect specifically, but I know sometimes it is the simplest things just amplified beyond their natural sound that makes the greatest effects. 

[monteverdi1567]

The first time I saw this opera full staged was recently (April 09). I had to carefully pace my breathing the last four minutes-- if I hadn't, I would have sobbed out loud. The woman sitting next to me, a complete stranger, and I gripped hands during the entire execution scene.

[fdh1004]

A very chilling and profound scene. As a singer, when moments on stage like this one come together it is a life-changing event, not only for the audience but for the artist as well. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[Jitpring]

Those filthy, stinking, evil bastards of the horrid French Revolution! Just think, they actually did this. And much more!

Go to audiosancto org and put in the words French Revolution in the search box. Then listen. Devastating. Also see my amazon Listmania! page, Counter-Revolutionaries, Unite!

[Jitpring]

It's a horrible sin that this isn't out on DVD.

[AndrewRudin]

One of the greatest stagings ever placed on the Met stage... and all without "technology", almost without scenery. But so enormously moving. (and Lord, I miss Jesse.)

[CecilySebastian]

@tenore23, I heard of one production that used a paper cutter and small cabbages in front of the microphone once.

[MarySue1964]

This reminds of a performance of this opera that I saw at Wolftrap. Each nun would walk off stage and as she did she would pass between two soldiers. As each nun passed, the soldiers would then turn around and face off stage and the sound of the guillotine would be heard. The soldiers would then turn back around to face the other nuns approaching.

[nww009]

I love how it ends with nothing but the cross.

[jpstenino]

I learned of this thanks to my now departed teacher Brother Ronald Hurst . Like no one ever before or since he could explain music and bring it to life off the page.

Thanks Ronald

[FredricEric]

The return of Blanche in the final scene is one of the most moving moments in opera literature.