La voix humaine

"La Voix humaine" (English: "The Human Voice") is a one-act opera for one character, with music by Francis Poulenc to a libretto by Jean Cocteau, based on his 1932 play. "La Voix humaine" was first performed at the Opéra-Comique, Salle Favart in Paris on 6 February 1959. Poulenc wrote the opera for Denise Duval, the French soprano, and the premiere was conducted by Georges Prêtre.

Other sopranos who have essayed the role include Karan Armstrong, Dame Josephine Barstow, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Catherine Malfitano, Audra McDonald, Julia Migenes, Maralin Niska, Jessye Norman, Magda Olivero, Renata Scotto, Anja Silja, Elisabeth Söderström, Phyllis Treigle,Galina Vishnevskaya and Felicity Lott.

Synopsis

A young woman has been interrupted during a telephone call from her lover of five years. He has abandoned her and is to marry another woman the following day. This is the last time they will speak to each other. During the conversation, we learn that the woman has attempted suicide. The phone service in Paris being notoriously poor during that era, they are interrupted several times during the agonizing conversation.

Abridged Discography

*"La Voix humaine" Duval, Orchestre de l'Opéra-Comique, Prêtre (EMI, 1958)
*"La Voix humaine" Felicity Lott, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Armin Jordan (Harmonia Mundi, 2001)

ources

*"The Viking Opera Guide" edited by Amanda Holden (Viking, 1993)
*Booklet notes to the Jordan recording