Stephen Barlow makes his Guildhall School opera directing debut with a period production of Poulenc's harrowing account (based on Gertrud von Le Fort's 'The Last on the Scaffold') of historical events that unfolded at a monastery of Carmelite nuns in Compiègne during the French Revolution. The dialogues are mainly set in recitative while the melodic line is typical of Poulenc's writing with lush harmonies. Cast Includes Gary Griffiths/Koji Terada (Marquis de la Force); Paul Curievici/Charlie Mellor (Chevalier); Anna Patalong/Natalya Romaniw (Blanche); Cátia Moreso (Madame de Croissy); Sky Ingram (Madame Lidoine); Sylvie Bedouelle/Amy Payne (Mère Marie); Sophie Junker (Soeur Constance); Sioned Davies (Mère Jeanne); Roisin Walsh (Soeur Mathilde); Alberto Sousa (L'Aumônier); Alexandros Tsilogiannis (premier Commissaire); Matthew Wright (deuxième Commissaire, prémier Officier, Thierry); Matthew Stiff (M Javelinot, Le Geôlier)
Clive Timms conducts; the set designer is David Farley. (Note: the performance on March 3 is preceded by a free performance of opera scenes by Opera Ensemble students in the foyer at 6.15pm.)