Gertrud von Le Fort dug up the story of the martyrdom of Carmelite nuns in the archives, and wrote a novel in which one nun, struggling with moral issues, represents the author.  George Bernanos wrote a screenplay and drama based on von Le Fort’s novel.  Poulenc wrote his opera from Bernanos take.  It is one of the most compelling operas ever composed.  Article

Photographs courtesy Dell’Arte Opera by Angel Roy