Aspects of Spiritual Meaning in Francis Poulenc’s Opera Dialogues of the Carmelites

Abstract

Abstract. The author of the article examines the aspects of the spiritual meaning in Francis
Poulenc’s opera Dialogues of the Carmelites as the elements fundamentally systemic to its spiritual
dimension. The research contains the hypothesis that the spiritual meaning of the opera is revealed
on the basis of the interaction of its particular aspects. The development of each one of them is
subservient to the idea of synthesis of time and eternity. The spiritual sense of the opera is centered
around the image of Christ (λόγος). The author analyzes the tints (or the undertones) of the musical
sense and meaning implemented by Poulenc in characterizing the Carmelite nuns – first of all, the
spiritual traits of the main heroine, Sister Blanche, as well as both of the superiors of the Carmelite
monastery, as well. The scheme in the final part of the article presents in a provisional manner the
connection between the aspects of the spiritual meaning in Poulenc’s opera with the Christian idea
of the synthesis of time and eternity.
The following conclusions are arrived at: the artistic world of this work includes a broad spectrum
of semantic “overtones” which indicate at the composer’s implementation of the fundamental
principles of the Catholic teachings of grace, the order of grace and the transfer of grace of the
Holy Spirit; by formulating the image of the main heroine and the other Carmelite nuns by means
of vocal and symphonic development, Poulenc marked out in his musical score the nuances of the
musical meaning which characterize the opera’s spiritual dimension; elaboration of the aspects of
spiritual meaning characterize the opera’s unified spiritual dimension as a mystery of grace.

Keywords: Dialogues of the Carmelites, Christianity, Latin, martyrdom, Saints, asceticism,
spirituality, Poulenc, grace