La Voix Humaine (1993)/ The Telephone

De Nationale Reisopera brengt de eenakter "La Voix Humaine" van Poulenc op 22 januari 2011 op de planken. "Well-paired, these two telephone operas benefit from filming, Poulenc's monodrama especially, for the woman, whose nervous system virtually is the opera, comes into close-up for much of the time so that we are brought face to face with her hopes and despairs, her sad subterfuges and blank endurance. The setting is created here with painstaking fidelity, the fading light in that oppressive room externalizing all too credibly the inner desolation. Carole Farley gives a finely acted performance, and Mike Newman's direction is unfalteringly effective. Menotti's jeu desprit remains a charmer. The setting is designed with wit to match the score, and again the producer's hand has a sure touch. Both singers play well to the camera, catching the comedy with a natural flair. Russell Smythe makes an excellent, convincingly American Ben." (J.B.S., Gramophone)