CCM's Opera Series presents Poulenc’s harrowing 'Dialogues of the Carmelites'

The UC College-Conservatory of Music opens its 2022-23 Opera Series with Francis Poulenc’s 1953 masterpiece, Dialogues of the Carmelites. One of the most revered operas of the 20th-century, this profound drama runs November 18-20 in CCM’s Corbett Auditorium. Guest artist Christopher Larkin conducts with stage direction by CCM Professor Robin Guarino. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

Based on the true story of the Martyrs of Compiègne, the opera follows the fictional aristocrat Blanche de la Force as she seeks refuge and purpose in a Carmelite convent during the French Revolution. However, the political tumult outside the cloistered community proves unavoidable, and Blanche and the other Carmelites are forced to grapple with their faith in the face of persecution and death. 

The libretto, adapted from a play by Georges Bernanos, is structured in a series of 12 scenes. Rather than following a traditional sequence of arias and ensembles, the characters converse with one another in melodies and rhythms which are at once lyrical and speech-like. This approach highlights the hauntingly beautiful choral sections, in which the voices of the convent evoke religious hymns and chants.

Though framed within a highly dramatic scenario, the music and libretto work together to tell the harrowing story in a deeply human way. Within Poulenc’s distinct musical language, the characters wrestle with complex psychological and philosophical ideas: faith, duty, grace, and ultimately, martyrdom.

Dialogues of the Carmelites' estimated runtime is three hours and 6 minutes with an intermission. The opera will be sung in French with English supertitles.

All photography by Mark Lyons. View complete cast and crew credits here.

Music and Libretto by Frances Poulenc
Libretto by Emmet Lavery

• 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18
• 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19
• 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Corbett Auditorium, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati

Tickets are $35.50-$39.50; student and group discounts available. Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online.

Learn about additional ticket options for current CCM students.

CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. For detailed driving directions, visit ccm.uc.edu/directions.

Parking is available in UC's CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. 

CCM OnStage patrons can add pre-paid parking to their checkout carts when purchasing tickets. Pre-paid parking is date/performance specific. CCM Garage parking rates for a performance or special event is usually available for $10-15. Learn more about parking at UC's CCM Garage.

For additional information on parking at UC, please visit uc.edu/about/parking.

A preeminent institution for the performing and media arts, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is the largest single source of performing arts presentations in the state of Ohio. All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events, visit ccm.uc.edu/onstage.  

Featured image at the top: A promotional image for CCM's production of Dialogues of the Carmelites.