Description

Dialogues des Carmélites - Francis Poulenc DVD

UPC: 807280731590

Product Features

Title: Dialogues des Carmélites
Composer: Francis Poulenc
Conductor: Riccardo Muti
Stage Director: Robert Carsen
Orchestra and Chorus: Teatro alla Scala
Main Cast:Set Designer: Michael Levine
- Blanche de la Force: Dagmar Schellenberger
- Madame de Croissy: Anja Silja
- Mère Marie de l'Incarnation: Barbara Dever
- Sœur Constance de Saint-Denis: Laura Aikin
- Le Marquis de la Force: Christopher Robertson
- Le Chevalier: Gordon Gietz
- Madame Lidoine: Gwynne Geyer
Costume Designer: Falk Bauer
Lighting Designer: Jean Kalman
TV & Video Director: Carlo Battistoni
Produced By: RAI, Teatro alla Scala
Sound Formats: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English (GB), German (DE), French (FR), Spanish (ES), Italian (IT)
Picture Format: 16:9
Region Code: 0 (Region-Free)
Running Time: 149 minutes
DVD Format: NTSC, Dual Layer (DVD 9)

Overview

"Dialogues des Carmélites" is one of Francis Poulenc’s most profound and moving operas, set during the French Revolution and focusing on the martyrdom of a group of Carmelite nuns. This live recording from 2004 at the Teatro degli Arcimboldi in Milan captures the haunting beauty and emotional intensity of Poulenc’s score under the baton of the celebrated conductor Riccardo Muti.

Directed by Robert Carsen, this production features a stellar cast, including Dagmar Schellenberger as Blanche de la Force, Anja Silja as Madame de Croissy, and Barbara Dever as Mère Marie. The performance is marked by its stark and powerful staging, designed by Michael Levine, which emphasizes the opera’s themes of faith, fear, and sacrifice.

The DVD offers a rich auditory and visual experience, with high-quality sound formats and subtitles in multiple languages, making this a definitive edition for both opera enthusiasts and those new to Poulenc’s work.

Interesting Facts

Riccardo Muti: One of the world’s leading conductors, Muti is renowned for his interpretations of both Italian and French opera. His direction of this production brings out the spiritual depth and dramatic intensity of Poulenc’s music.
Robert Carsen’s Staging: Known for his minimalist and evocative productions, Carsen’s approach to "Dialogues des Carmélites" underscores the psychological and emotional struggles of the characters, particularly in the opera’s harrowing final scene.
Teatro alla Scala: As one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, La Scala’s production of this opera adds a layer of historical significance, considering the opera's themes of martyrdom and revolution.
Milan Recording: This performance was recorded live at the Teatro degli Arcimboldi, a temporary venue used by La Scala while its historic home was undergoing renovations.