Poulenc's La Voix Humaine

Originally conceived for WNO and Festival of Voice in 2016 and performed in a flat in Penarth, South Wales, for this version Claire was again directed by Sir David Pountney, and joined by pianist Christopher Glynn. The concept for this new digital adaptation is an intimate Zoom party at L’s studio flat, during which L receives a phone call from her lover who is ending their relationship. The medium of film offers an intimate gaze on this one-act opera, with viewers bearing witness to the range of emotions experienced by L from joy and desire to devastation and deep despair. Claire opened up her own home to allow filming and recording to happen, which took place in Oxfordshire in September under social distancing guidelines. The opera has been recorded ‘as live’, with Claire singing to Christopher’s piano accompaniment which was taking place in a separate room in the house. Multiple cameras were used to record the piece creating a performance piece that can be viewed as though it were in real time.