Eastman Opera Theatre (EOT) presents Francis Poulenc’s haunting Dialogues des Carmélites, April 4-7, 2024, in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Directed by Pat Diamond and conducted by Timothy Long, it will be sung in French with English supertitles. This quasi-historical opera, with music by Poulenc and libretto by Georges Bernanos, is set in Paris at the close of the 18th century. As signs of the French Revolution begin to unsettle the country, a fearful young noblewoman seeks sanctuary in a convent, where, in the midst of unspeakable tragedy, her faith in God will be tested.
“This could be considered a religious opera about Christian faith, but it is so much more than that. It is really about how every human being can and should cultivate personal faith of some kind,” shares Diamond. “In times of stress and trouble, like the French Revolution or coming out of WWII (when this story was first transcribed as an opera), the need to find agency and ease in a place where it doesn’t exist requires a deep sense of faith.”
Long adds that one of his favorite moments in the show demonstrates that feeling fearful and remaining steadfast are not mutually exclusive experiences. When the Carmelites are imprisoned and on the verge of demise, these words are spoken: “In the Garden of Olives, our Christ was no more master. He knew the fear of death.” Long explains, “the nuns at this point, though scared of what’s to come, have similarly accepted their fate, and through ritual they are able to maintain their faith.”
The set is sparse and utilizes a backdrop with sharp edges suggestive of a guillotine’s blade, two chairs and minimal props. It also features a mélange of styles, starting with a two-dimensional, “period” look — inspired by the monochromatic sketches of Jacques Louis David depicting the events of the French Revolution — which later morphs into an atmosphere that could be suggestive of any time period. Abstract décor creates elusive time and space that feels current, yet historical. Color and costumes are also important to the storytelling. The set is painted in shades of blue, evoking themes of revolution, juxtaposed with the conservative browns and grays of the Carmelites’ costumes.
Even the music is abstract in style: “There is a moment when the nuns’ chorus sings together for the first time, utilizing chords that might be heard in popular music of the mid-late 20th century, or even now, rather than during the French Revolution,” shares Diamond. “That to me is what this opera is about –– it is applicable to the human experience at any time or place.”
Eastman Opera Theatre’s performances of Dialogues des Carmélites are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6; with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday April 7. This production is double-cast and runs for three hours including two intermissions. Click here to watch music director Tim Long, director Pat Diamond, and vocalist Darby Schmidt discuss the opera further.
Tickets are $20.00 for general admission. Internally, students, faculty and staff may present their URID to receive one free ticket. Tickets can be purchased at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, 433 East Main St., or online at EastmanTheatre.org. Due to sensitive subject matter involving suicide, this opera is not recommended for children.
During the Saturday evening performance audio descriptions will be available for the blind or visually impaired. Through a personal headset, the show will be described and narrated to the wearer. These headsets will be available at the Box Office on a first come, first served basis — a photo ID will be retained as a deposit until the headset is returned at the conclusion of the performance.
Visit esm.rochester.edu/events for more information about this performance and other Eastman events.
Media only: Lauren Sageer, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Digital Content,
(585) 451-8492, lsageer@esm.rochester.edu
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About Eastman Opera Theatre:
Eastman Opera Theatre offers a comprehensive program of training and performance opportunities for the modern singer-actor. Each year, productions feature a wide range of musical styles, unusual lyric forms, and both traditional and contemporary repertoire that prepare the motivated student for the professional lyric theater world of tomorrow.
Most productions have two complete principal casts (given an equal number of performances), are fully designed, performed in the original language, and depending on the venue, use full orchestral accompaniment. Studio productions, scenes programs, and outreach events are also offered to further enhance the variety of performance opportunities. Eastman Opera Theatre utilizes both undergraduate and graduate students in all roles for all productions.
Recent and past productions include Davis’ Lear on the 2nd Floor; Sondheim’s Into the Woods; Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea; Glass’ Hydrogen Jukebox and Les Enfants Terribles; Guettel’s The Light in the Piazza; Gordon’s The Tibetan Book of the Dead; Mozart’s Don Giovanni; and Puts’ Elizabeth Cree. EOT is committed to working with living composers and librettists. Recent production collaborators have included Anthony Davis, Adam Guettel, Jake Heggie, Gene Scheer, Ricky Ian Gordon, Kevin Puts, and Mark Campbell.
About Eastman School of Music:
The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman (1854-1932), founder of Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first professional school of the University of Rochester. Mr. Eastman’s dream was that his school would provide a broad education in the liberal arts as well as superb musical training.
More than 900 students are enrolled in the Collegiate Division of the Eastman School of Music—about 500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. They come from almost every state, and approximately 23 percent are from other countries. They are taught by a faculty comprised of more than 130 highly regarded performers, composers, conductors, scholars, and educators. They are Pulitzer Prize winners, Grammy winners, Emmy winners, Guggenheim fellows, ASCAP Award recipients, published authors, recording artists, and acclaimed musicians who have performed in the world’s greatest concert halls. Each year, Eastman’s students, faculty members, and guest artists present more than 900 concerts to the Rochester community. Additionally, more than 1,700 members of the Rochester community, from young children through senior citizens, are enrolled in the Eastman Community Music School.
About the University of Rochester:
The University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading private research universities, one of only 62-member institutions in the Association of American Universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives undergraduates exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.