{"id":327,"date":"2019-07-17T18:18:10","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/dialoguesofthecarmelites\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:18:10","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:10","slug":"dialoguesofthecarmelites","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/dialoguesofthecarmelites\/","title":{"rendered":"2013 WCSU Opera to present Poulenc’s ‘Dialogues of the Carmelites’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 The Western Connecticut State University<\/a> Opera will present \u201cDialogues of the Carmelites<\/a>\u201d by 20th century French composer Francis Poulenc in two performances at the university on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13.<\/p>\n

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The WCSU Opera will perform Poulenc\u2019s work, considered one of the most significant and challenging operas of the past century, at 8 p.m. both evenings in Ives Concert Hall in White Hall on the university\u2019s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Each performance will be introduced by a brief lecture about the cultural and historical context of \u201cDialogues\u201d delivered by Dr. Galina Bakhtiarova<\/a>, associate professor of Spanish in the university\u2019s World Languages and Literature Department. The production is sponsored by the WCSU School of Visual and Performing Arts.<\/p>\n

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Poulenc\u2019s opera, adapted from a screenplay by Georges Bernanos and first performed in 1957, tells the story of Blanche de la Force, a daughter of French nobility in the late 18th century who joins a Carmelite order of nuns in search of refuge from the violence and turmoil of the French Revolution. The opera\u2019s characters find they cannot escape the fundamental questions of fear, integrity and faith amid the escalating Reign of Terror that ultimately engulfs the La Force family, the Carmelite convent and French society.<\/p>\n

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General admission will be $15, with a fee of $10 for seniors and children 12 and under. WCSU students will be admitted free with a valid ID. Advance reservations and ticket information are available online at www.wcsu.edu\/tickets<\/a> or by phone at (203) 837-TIXX. \tTickets also will be sold at the door.<\/p>\n

The WCSU Office of Alumni Relations will host \u201cA Night at the Opera\u201d on April 12 featuring dinner on the university\u2019s Midtown campus and opera admission at a cost of $35 per person. The package will include an invitation to a reservation-only buffet dinner with complimentary wine beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Warner Hall, and a ticket for the evening performance. Reservations will be accepted through April 5; for information, call the Alumni Relations office at (203) 837-8298 or access the reservation form through the \u201cNight at the Opera\u201d link on the WCSU alumni home page at www.wcsu.edu\/alumni<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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WCSU Professor of Music Dr. Margaret Astrup<\/a>, producer and director of the WCSU Opera presentation, noted that Poulenc\u2019s work will be performed in English, reflecting the composer\u2019s own preference that his opera should be performed in the language of the audience so as to enhance its immediacy and accessibility. She described \u201cDialogues of the Carmelites,\u201d based on a real-life story of nuns who were martyred during the French Revolution, as another musical watershed for student members of the WCSU Opera. <\/p>\n

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\u201cEach year I look for new ways to challenge our students and broaden their understanding of opera as a genre,\u201d Astrup said. \u201cThis opera provides a wealth of challenges as well as great depth, both musically and dramatically.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe final scene in which the nuns face execution by guillotine, rather than recanting their beliefs, stands apart as one of the most powerful moments in all musical theatre,\u201d she observed.<\/p>\n

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The cast will feature Rachel Armour, of Waterbury, in the leading role of Blanche de la Force, with Jean Carlos Rodriguez, of Waterbury, portraying her father and Erick Sanchez, of Stamford, performing as her brother. Cidalia Alves, of Stamford, will sing the role of the convent\u2019s dying prioress, Madame de Croissy, with Benedetta Cordaro, of Stamford, appearing as the new prioress, Madame Lidoine. Other major roles will be performed by Carly Henderson, of Avon, as Mother Marie; Rachel Pelchat, of Torrington, as Sister Constance; and David Sylvia, of Stratford, as the chaplain. <\/p>\n

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WCSU Adjunct Professor of Music Eric Trudel will provide music direction, with Andrew Gordon and William Braun performing on piano.<\/p>\n

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For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.<\/p>\n

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\n Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/em><\/p>\n

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