Les dialogues des Carmélites

work by Poulenc

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June 25, 2026

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Dialogues des Carmélites is a significant opera by Francis Poulenc, with a libretto by Georges Bernanos. The work is based on Gertrud von Le Fort's novel The Song at the Scaffold and tells the story of 16 Carmelite nuns from Compiègne, France, who were executed during the French Revolution on July 17, 1794. The opera explores themes of innocence, sacrifice, and death. Poulenc's unique musical style is employed to convey this moving and tragic narrative.12

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Francis Poulenc
His opera Les dialogues des Carmélites (1953–56, libretto by Georges Bernanos) is considered one of the finest operas of the 20th century. Other widely performed works by Poulenc were the Sextet for piano and wind quintet (1930–32), Organ Concerto (1938), and Oboe Sonata (1962).
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His opera Les dialogues des Carmélites (1953–56, libretto by Georges Bernanos) is considered one of the finest operas of the 20th century. Other widely performed works by Poulenc were the Sextet for piano and wind quintet (1930–32), Organ Concerto (1938), and Oboe Sonata (1962).
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opera
Later opera in France
Poulenc’s only large serious opera, Dialogues des Carmélites (1957; “Dialogues of the Carmelites,” libretto by Georges Bernanos), employs his unique musical style to tell a moving and tragic story of nuns martyred during the French Revolution.
Read More
Poulenc’s only large serious opera, Dialogues des Carmélites (1957; “Dialogues of the Carmelites,” libretto by Georges Bernanos), employs his unique musical style to tell a moving and tragic story of nuns martyred during the French Revolution.
Read More