“(…) Poulenc’s opera is really about the anguish of life and the fear of death. The music is never overly dramatic, yet its impact is immediate and at times, it is extremely realistic. Musical lines always fit Bernardos’ text closely. The score alternates flowing, lushly harmonious melodies with contrasting jarring passages that mirror the anguish of the central character, Blanche de la Force. On Friday, conductor Stéphane Denève proved expert in drawing Poulenc’s musical lines from an inspired Residentie Orkest. (…)
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Robert Carsen’s shattering Dialogues des carmélites returns to Amsterdam for a last time
