Jeanne & Gilles | Chamber opera

Libretto by Kristine Tornquist
Composition by François-Pierre Descamps for five singers and twelve instrumentalists

A production of the sirene Opera Theater at REAKTOR, September 2018

The opera tells the story of the love between the charismatic Joan of Arc and one of her generals, the weak-willed Gilles de Rais. Gilles adores Jeanne, but his longing remains unfulfilled. Jeanne is wholly devoted to the war, pushing relentlessly through blood and chaos and inspiring her battle companions to follow her. While Jeanne hears the voice of victory, Gilles is haunted by the death cries of his victims. He clings to the belief that Jeanne’s connection to God and morality can justify her actions and quiet his torment. Gilles pins his hopes on life after the war, but those hopes are burned at the stake alongside Jeanne. Retreating to his dark castle, he tries to summon Jeanne’s voice in the screams of his victims. The opera serves as a metaphor for war, revealing its initial allure and brilliance but, long afterward, exposing the deep scars left on the souls of its survivors. (Text: sirene Operntheater)

Singing Jeanne/Child – Lisa Rombach | Gilles de Rais – Paul Schweinester | Jean Pasquerel/Francesco Prelati – Johann Leutgeb | Jean d´Orléans / Jean de la Rivière – Bernd Lambauer | Etienne de Vignolles/Poitou – Andreas Jankowitsch | Also with Marco Otoya and Emil Raoul Kohlmayr