Dialogues des Carmélites

This impressive 2010 mounting of Francis Poulenc's 1957 opera by the Bavarian Staatsoper showcases refined, expressive playing from the Bavarian State Orchestra under Kent Nagano (a specialist in 20th-century French music), and firm, clear vocalism by Susan Gritton as Blanche de la Force, the noblewoman who joins a convent of Carmelite nuns as the French Revolution rages, only to be torn between commitment to her vocation and the instinct to survive when the new regime targets her community. Gritton is matched by Hélène Guilmette and Susanne Resmark as Soeur Constance and Mère Marie, respectively, who represent the choice between faith and doubt that confronts Blanche. Unfortunately, the fine musicality is compromised by the staging: Dmitri Tcherniakov's decision to present the work in modern dress is debatable, but defensible; but he's also chosen to situate much of the piece in a wooden box on the stage to represent the convent, and the view of the singers is sometimes obstructed by its beams (Tcherniakov also manipulates the action—especially toward the close—in a provocative but not always convincing manner). Still, even though the more traditional versions from the Staatsoper Hamburg (VL-11/10) and the Opéra du Rhin (VL-9/01) are preferred, this presentation still shines on the musical front. Presented with Dolby Digital 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray release) and PCM stereo options, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)