'Carmelites' is a moving reflection on standing up for one's beliefs

By Ruth O. Bingham / Special to the Star-Advertiser

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 17, 2013

~~<p>Hawaii Opera Theatre and Poulenc's "Dialogues of the Carmelites" are almost the same age: "Dialogues" premiered in 1957, HOT in 1961. In the half-century since, HOT has performed "Dialogues" only this once, making it Hawaii's premiere.</p>
<p>"Dialogues" follows young, innocent Blanche from living fearfully, to finding courage in faith, to giving her life for her beliefs. Blanche may be the lead character, but the real focus of the story is its historic context — the beheading of 16 Carmelite nuns during the French Revolution.</p>
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Hawaii Opera Theatre and Poulenc's "Dialogues of the Carmelites" are almost the same age: "Dialogues" premiered in 1957, HOT in 1961. In the half-century since, HOT has performed "Dialogues" only this once, making it Hawaii's premiere.

"Dialogues" follows young, innocent Blanche from living fearfully, to finding courage in faith, to giving her life for her beliefs. Blanche may be the lead character, but the real focus of the story is its historic context — the beheading of 16 Carmelite nuns during the French Revolution. Login for more...