Described by the Sunday Telegraph as ‘a magnificent production, which no opera-lover should miss’, Phyllida Lloyd’s riveting staging of Poulenc’s great opera is revised for the first time since its 1999 premiere. Based on historical facts dramatised by Georges Bernanos just before his death, Poulenc’s opera is an inspiring account of faith and triumph over fear. Written in 1950 while he was embroiled in the crises of depression, a relationship with a dying lover and anxieties about his own health, Poulenc embraced The Carmelites as a godsend, which, in his own words, ‘just flows and flows’.

Poulenc reveals his inner soul as the terrifying events of the French Revolution provide the backdrop for dealing with issues of existential fear, death, self-abandonment and the conveying grace. Cloistered life is portrayed authentically, as sixteen Carmelite nuns – known for austerity and intense devotion – proceed with agonising serenity to martyrdom at the scaffold.

Dame Josephine Barstow reprises her powerful performance as Mother Marie, and is joined on stage by the inimitable Felicity Palmer CBE (Madame de Croissy) and Catrin Wyn-Davies (Blanche de la Force).        

Performance dates are:

October 5 . 13 . 15 . 18 . 27 . 29 at 7.30pm .
October 22 at 6.30pm .
November 3 at 7.30pm

8 Performances only. From £10.

 TO BOOK: Online www.eno.org        

                     Telephone 020 7632 8310

                      In Person, booking at: London Coliseum Foyer, 10am – 8pm Mon-Sat

                      London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N

3 Pairs of tickets to be won, see our competition below + Special Ticket Offer:

£20 tickets in the Dress Circle for the following performances: Tue 18 Oct and Sat 22 Oct for Franceinlondon.com, to be booked by the end of Sat 16 Oct. This is a reduction of up to £48.

To claim the tickets members need to ring up the Box Office on 0870 145 2200 and quote 'French offer'.

Terms & Conditions
The offer is subject to availability and limited availability. Not available on-line or retrospectively. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Only available for the two performances indicated.