A rare masterpiece of the 20th Century operatic repertoire, based on the true story of a convent of Carmelite nuns during the vicious and bloody Reign of Terror following the French Revolution. In some of the most dramatically riveting scenes in all of opera, the young novice, Blanche de la Force, faces her fear of death head on as she willingly chooses to mount the scaffold where fifteen fellow nuns are ordered to their deaths by guillotine. A rich and poignant score attest to the nuns’ courage and conviction.   Music by Francis Poulenc Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy After a screenplay by Georges Bernanos based on the novella Die Letzte am Schafott (The Last on the Scaffold), by Gertrud von le Fort. First performed in an Italian version La Scala, Milan January 26, 1957 Original French version premiered Théâtre National de l'Opéra, Paris June 21, 1957   Production Design by Renato Cesarino Costumes by C. Clara George   Conducted and Directed by Ron De Fesi     Venue and Dates in the Spring   TO BE ANNOUNCED     The Cast Marquis de la Force: TBA, baritone Chevalier de la Force, his son: TBA tenor Blanche de la Force, his daughter, TBA, soprano Thierry, a footman, TBA, baritone Madame de Croissy, the prioress, TBA, contralto Sister Constance of St. Denis, a young novice, TBA, soprano Mother Marie of the Incarnation, assistant prioress, TBA, mezzo-soprano M. Javelinot, a doctor, TBA, baritone Madame Lidoine, the new prioress, TBA, soprano Mother Jeanne of the Child Jesus, TBA, contralto Sister Mathilde, TBA, mezzo-soprano Father confessor of the convent, TBA, tenor First commissary, TBA, tenor Second commissary, TBA, baritone Officer, TBA, baritone Gaoler, TBA, baritone Carmelites, Officers, Prisoners, Townspeople The Hudson Opera Theatre Chorus   Click for a synopsis of the plot.