Dialogues des Carmelites

Based on a true story the Dialogues des Carmelites sets the life of the Carmelites nuns at the dawn of the French Revolution Robert Carsens production is effective in its simplicity allowing the drama to speak for itself Dagmar Schellenberger compellingly conveys Blanches journey from distress to acceptance Anja Siljas portrayal of the old Prioress is outstanding with its disturbing transformation from serene wisdom to terrified blasphemous nearmadness as death approaches Riccardo Muti and the La Scala orchestra in magnificent form captured in magnificent sound Ultimately it is the final scene with its multiple executions that makes or breaks a production of Dialogues Carsens allegorical solution is both elegant and deeply moving BBC Music Magazine September 2007