La voix humaine by Poulenc and Ravel’s Histoires naturelles

In co-production with the Festival d’opéra de Québec

Proud sponsor of JM Canada’s opera

In this double bill in which the comedy of animals gives way to human tragedy, Poulenc’s La voix humaine takes on an almost veristic meaning, as a broken relationship is woven through the mundane language of a telephone conversation. In this distressful monologue, a woman attempts to speak to her lover over the phone, slowly laying bare her sadness and pain at being abandoned. In the first half, a singer performs a selection of French mélodies centred on animals, its levity juxtaposed against the lyrical tragedy of the second half. In this way, Ravel’s cycle of Histoires naturelles and other songs are brought into harmony with Poulenc’s La voix humaine in a rich, daring, and contrasting vocal concert.

A FIRST LOOK AT THE REPERTOIRE

F. POULENC (1899-1963)

Souviens-toi du dimanche de Versailles*  ÉCOUTEZ

Pardonne-moi, je sais que cette scène est intolérable*  ÉCOUTEZ

Mais non, mon chéri, ce n’est pas du tout pareil*   ÉCOUTEZ

FRENCH MÉLODIES

C. SAINT-SAËNS (1935-1921)

La cigale et la fourmi**  LISTEN

* Audio file recorded by Kirsten Leblanc (soprano) and Esther Gonthier (piano).
** Audio file recorded by Olivier Bergeron (baritone) and Esther Gonthier (piano).
Recording and editing by Pierre Léger.