Poulenc/Cocteau
Ne Quittez Pas: A Reimagined La voix humaine
New Production & Company Premiere
Music by Francis Poulenc
Libretto by Jean Cocteau
Based on the play by Jean Cocteau
Performed in French with English supertitles
Part of 
Patricia Racette is "the most fearless woman in opera."—Los Angeles Times
James Darrah is "an incredibly ingenious, creative and talented director."—Huffington Post
This site-specific production begins with an intimate performance of French art songs, followed by one of opera’s most powerful monodramas, La voix humaine, in which a lonely woman lays bare the heartbreak of unrequited love. This reimagined staging brings new perspective to a work once described by Poulenc himself as “a musical confession.”
Opening Night Soirée: September 22 at 10:00 p.m.
Following the intimate opening night performance of Ne Quittez Pas, come toast soprano Patricia Racette and the rest of the cast in the moody and electrifying atmosphere of Crêperie Beau Monde for an event in collaboration with visionary director James Darrah. Learn more>>
MapTheatre of Living Arts
Dates are Sept. 2018.
| Sat, Sep 22 | 8:00 p.m. |
| Sun, Sep 23 | 8:00 p.m. |
| Thu, Sep 27 | 8:00 p.m. |
| Sat, Sep 29 | 8:00 p.m. |
| Sun, Sep 30 | 8:00 p.m. |
The running time is approximately one hour and 59 minutes including one 20-minute intermission.
Major support for Ne Quittez Pas: A Reimagined La voix humaine has been provided by the William Penn Foundation.
Made possible by an OPERA America Innovation Grant supported by the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation.
Cast & Creative Team
- Tony Fanning * Production Design
- Chrisi Karvonides Costume Design
- Pablo Santiago Lighting Design
- Robert Kaplowitz Sound Design
- Janet Neukirchner Stage Manager
- Sara Prince Assistant Stage Manager
- Corinne Hayes * Assistant Director
- *Opera Philadelphia debut
The Composer
Francis Poulenc
The brilliant French composer, Francis (Jean Marcel) Poulenc, was born into a wealthy family of pharmaceutical manufacturers. His mother, an amateur pianist, taught him to play, and music formed a part of family life. At 16, he began taking formal piano lessons with Ricardo Viñees. Learn more about Poulenc.