Details

The action takes place during the French Revolution and follows the persecution of a convent of Carmelite nuns who declare a vow of martyrdom. Blanche, a novice at the convent, has a crisis of faith and in the climate of social unrest flees to the safety of her family only to find her father, the Marquis, has been executed. Blanche has to confront her fear and make a terrifying choice, does she renounce her faith and disappear into the crowd, or join her sisters as they face the guillotine one by one? Running time 2 hours 45 minutes.

Cast/Performers

Felicity Palmer (Madame de Croissy), Josephine Barstow (Mother Marie), Catrin Wyn-Davies (Blanche de la Force), Ashley Holland (Marquis de la Force), Orla Boylan (Madame Lidoine), Sarah Tynan (Sister Constance), Anne Marie Gibbons (Sister Mathilde), Ryland Davies (Chaplain), James Edwards (First Commissioner), Roland Wood (Second Commissioner), Toby Stafford-Allen (Officer), David Stephenson (Gaoler), William Berger (Monsieur Javelinot)

Creatives/Company

Music: Poulenc
Corporate Sponsor(s): Sky, Artsworld
Producer(s): English National Opera, Welsh National Opera
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Design: Anthony Ward
Lighting: Hugh Vanstone
Translation: Joseph Machlis
Conductor: Paul Daniel