La voix humaine

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

In her footsteps followed sopranos Karan Armstrong, Dame Josephine Barstow, Nicole Cabell, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Catherine Malfitano, Julia Migenes, Maralin Niska, Jessye Norman, Magda Olivero, Renata Scotto, Elisabeth Söderström, Phyllis Treigle and Galina Vishnevskaya. In 2006, Broadway star Audra McDonald selected La voix humaine as her operatic debut, performing it for Houston Grand Opera.

[edit] 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, they are interrupted several times during the agonizing conversation.