Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The UNL Opera program is set to stage four performances of "Dialogues of the Carmelites," an opera from 1957 that tells the story of the Carmelite nuns of Compiègne, who were martyred during France's Reign of Terror. The performances are scheduled for Sunday, October 27 at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, October 29 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, November 3 at 2 p.m. They will be held in the Howell Theatre within the Temple Building on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.

The opera was originally composed by Francis Poulenc and premiered in French. However, UNL Opera's rendition will be performed in English with piano accompaniment in Howell Theater's intimate setting, enhancing its impact.

"Dialogues of the Carmelites" is rooted in historical events from the French Revolution era when the Catholic Church faced increasing persecution. During this period known as the Reign of Terror, many were arrested and executed publicly. Among those executed were a group of Carmelite nuns from Compiègne who were arrested in June 1794 and executed after a brief trial.

Gertrud von le Fort's novella "The Song at the Scaffold," published in 1931, drew inspiration from these events. The work served as a social commentary against emerging Nazism. Later, Georges Bernanos adapted it into a play focusing on individual character drama. This adaptation became the basis for Poulenc's libretto for "Dialogues des Carmélites."

Michael Cotton, musical director for this production, remarked on how art can transcend time-bound events to address universal themes: “Though von le Fort, Bernanos, and Poulenc were all Roman Catholic, as with all great works of art, the particular is a doorway to the universal and what is timebound touches upon the timeless.”

Cotton further explained that while most principal characters face death in "Dialogues," it is not considered tragic: “Indeed, seen with eyes of faith...it is suffused with hope. Courage wins out over fear...love is shown to be stronger than death.”

Tickets are available through https://nebraskarep.org/unlopera.