Gente, gente! debuts with ‘Dialogues des Carmélites’ 

Across two weekends only, Gente, gente! will perform Dialogues des Carmélites, a three-act neo-romantic opera originally performed in 1957. It is based on the true story of the Martyrs of Compeigne, sixteen nuns belonging to the Carmelite monastery who were executed during the end of the French Revolution. 

When asked about the plot, director Bec Moret says the production raises several questions about the characters’ deeply held convictions as they grapple with deep human fears: “Is fear to be fled or faced? What does it mean to die well? And in a climate of fear, where people have become desensitised to everyday violence and terror, can one person’s choice make any difference?”

These deeply philosophical questions are explored in Gente, gente!’s performance of Dialogues des Carmélites. Gente, gente! is a grassroots non-profit opera company making its debut in Sydney.

This company focuses on less commonly performed works that portray relevant messages to today’s world. Gente, gente! is committed to increasing the role of women on and off the stage. It also showcases and gives industry experience to artists trying to break into national and state opera companies. All in all, a good gig. 

Moret says that the show’s powerful theme gives a “central voice to women and their profound philosophical conversations about the human condition.” She adds that “very few operas spotlight the inner intellectual life of women… being able to stage a show all about women with an all-women creative team is a delight…it’s also wonderful being able to give a platform to so many wonderful women singers.”

The show consists of 33 cast members with Joanna Drimatis as the musical director and conductor. Music is provided by a live 16-piece orchestra. 

This performance will take place at Pitt Street Uniting Church on Friday, June 21st; Saturday, June 22nd; Friday, June 28th; and Saturday, June 29th. All showtimes will begin at 7 pm. It will be performed in French with English subtitles. Tickets cost between $15-25, not including booking fees. 

Viewers will not be left disappointed by this timely and timeless piece.

Gente, gente! Presents: Dialogues des Carmélites
June 21-22 & 28-29
$15-25pp
https://gentegente.org