To Quell the Terror

The year is 1794. The French Revolution is in full swing, and the Reign of Terror pours blood into the streets on a daily basis. On July 17, the day after their patronal feast day, seventeen Carmelite nuns ascend the scaffold in Paris. One by one they march to their martyrdom, which they have been preparing for for two years. Each stops by Mother Teresa of St. Augustine, the Mother Superior, and as is befitting religious under strict obedience, they ask her permission to die. Singing as they go, one by one the thud of the guillotine steals a voice from the chorus, and transports it to the heavenly choir. Ten days later, Robespierre himself is beheaded, and the terror ceased.

I’m not big into opera, but man oh man did Poulenc choose a good story for this one. Rather than trying to give you any information on a field I know little about, I’ll share here a fantastic podcast on this opera. I recommend listening to this episode before listening to the opera as it is very enlightening.

Also, if you wish to know more about the actual story of the martyrs (as opposed to the semi-fictional version portrayed in the opera), I highly recommend the book “To Quell the Terror.” Lastly, here is the scene of the execution from the movie based on the same story. It is harrowing, but also inspiring:

Happy Listening!

Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne, pray for us!


Sancta Caecilia, ora pro nobis!

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A Tragic Symphony