Dialogues des Carmélites

This 2008 production from the Staatsoper Hamburg is the latest of several mountings of Francis Poulenc's 1957 opera to be released on DVD (see review in VL-5/01). In the simplest narrative terms, the story centers on a convent of Carmelite nuns executed during the French Revolution. But Poulenc's theme explores the nature of a faith so deep that it can lead to the embrace of martyrdom. The libretto concentrates on one of the sisters, a noblewoman who escapes capture but later returns to both join her closest friend in the community and voluntarily submit to the guillotine, ultimately contrasting their calm acceptance of death with the earlier torment of their prioress, who died in agony. Although this is a modern piece, the music is extremely accessible, presented in a straightforward lyrical idiom, well played by the Hamburg Philharmonic under the baton of Simone Young. The singing is mostly excellent, with Alexia Voulgaridou standing out as the heroine, Blanche de la Force; only Gabriele Schnaut disappoints as Mère Marie, with a pronounced wobble in her voice when pressed. The minimalist staging suits the purity of the work, and the effect used to suggest the executions at the close is especially effective. A brief synopsis of the action precedes each scene (a helpful addition) of this nicely lensed production presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek)