C&D > le lab on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/claracdeloeuil
Opera in 3 acts and 12 scenes, 1957 - Music and Libretto Francis Poulenc, after Georges Bernanos
Opéra de Toulon, 2013
CAST
Musical director, Serge Baudo
Staging and Set design, Jean-Philippe Clarac & Olivier Deloeuil
Costumes, Thibaut Welchlin
Lighting design, Rick Martin
Ermonela Jaho (Blanche de la Force), Nadine Denize (Madame de Croissy), Laurent Alvaro (Le Marquis de la Force), Stanislas de Barbeyrac (Le Chevalier de la Force) Angeles Blancas Gulin (Madame Lidoine), Virginie Pochon (Constance de Saint Denis), Sophie Fournier (Mère Marie de l’Incarnation), Olivier Dumait (L’aumônier), Thomas Morris (Le premier officier), Philippe Ermelier (Le second officier, le geôlier)
Orchestra and Chorus, Opéra de Toulon
PRODUCTION
Opéra de Toulon / Clarac-Deloeuil > le lab
ABOUT
Contrary to what might be expected, we do not consider Dialogues des Carmélites as an historical opera. For us, the French Revolution is nothing but an historical backdrop for a definitely universal drama. Our show is not about history, but rather about spirituality. That is why our production is not grounded in any realistic, historically accurate convent. Our show takes place in a metaphorical space. Within that metaphorical space, our set and props consist in a minimalist selection of geometrical elements, at the same time raw and sophisticated. At the center of the stage lays a huge Catholic cross, entirely made out of white stones. This pristine white cross refers to the key symbol of Catholicism. But it also suggests a gigantic tomb. And more than anything, this cross, almost constantly present on stage, becomes an ideal vehicle for spirituality, for meditation and ritualistic actions.
