Dialogues des Carmelites

Overview

Based on a true story, the "Dialogues des Carmelites" sets the life of the Carmelites nuns at the dawn of the French Revolution. “Robert Carsen's production is effective in its simplicity, allowing the drama to speak for itself. Dagmar Schellenberger compellingly conveys Blanche's journey from distress to acceptance… Anja Silja's portrayal of the old Prioress is outstanding, with its disturbing transformation from serene wisdom to terrified, blasphemous, near-madness as death approaches. ...Riccardo Muti and the La Scala orchestra in magnificent form, captured in magnificent sound. Ultimately, it is the final scene, with its multiple executions, that makes or breaks a production of Dialogues. Carsen's allegorical solution is both elegant and deeply moving.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2007

Directed by Robert Carsen

Top cast

C

Christopher Robertson

Marquis de la Force

Dagmar Schellenberger

Blanche de la Force

G

Gordon Gietz

Chevalier de la Force

A

Anja Silja

Madame de Croissy

G

Gwynne Geyer

Madame Lidoine

B

Barbara Dever

Mere Marie de l' incarnation

Laura Aikin

Soeur Constance

A

Annamaria Popescu

Mere Jeanne

S

Sara Allegretta

Soeur Mathilde

Details