Dialogues of the Carmelites *with photos!*

Here are great pix of the Dialogues of the Carmelites... hey I think that's Jen the Nun standing up in the last photo.

So if you are like me-- average opera aficionado, I had no idea what the DoC was. So here's the excerpt: In addition to the three anniversaries of the Carmelite Jubilee, 2007 also marks the 50th anniversary of the premier of “Dialogues of the Carmelites,” with its first performance given at La Scala on January 26, 1957.

“Dialogues of the Carmelites” is based on a true story – although the inspiration came from the novel, The Last to the Scaffold by Gertrude von Lefort. During the final days of the French Revolution, the Committee of Public Safety was created to preserve the reforms of the revolution. Their aim was to eliminate all counter-revolutionary elements – including individuals whose primary devotion was to their faith. This aim resulted in the Reign of Terror, a period characterized by a wave of executions. On June 24, 1794, sixteen nuns from the Monastery of the Incarnation in Compiègne were arrested and thrown into prison for failing to obey orders to stop practicing their faith. While singing hymns, they were guillotined in Paris on July 17, 1794; they were beatified by Pope Pius X in 1906.

Pretty moving and tragic, which is great material for opera. From a historical non-Catholic perspective, I had no idea of this event, so it's particularly gratifying to know that an art form can preserve historic moments and help enlighten us-- especially since this a specifically female event.

Plus I think Jen looks good in a wimple!!