James Kent (director)
(studio)
57 (length)
15 April 2022 (released)
13 April 2022
Based on Jean Cocteau’s 1928 play, Francis Poulenc’s one-act opera written in 1959 La Voix Humaine (The Human Voice) is an intense version of a play that deals with the telephone’s effect on relationships simultaneously drawing people close while keeping at a distance.
It’s been filmed though fewer times and a cursory look on IMDB will reveal a multitude of variations and running lengths, the most recent being Pedro Almodóvar’s interpretation with Tilda Swinton.
This is a BBC/Royal Opera House production with Danielle de Niese as ‘Elle’ conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano, musical director of the Royal Opera House.
Although written in 1928 the play does not appear out of time dealing as it does with the use of technology and its effect on human interactions. That has gone well beyond the scope of the corded phone now as people are seemingly happy to conduct much of their lives over social media with scant regard for their or others privacy.
However this sticks pretty much to phones and mobiles as ‘Elle’ (translated as just ‘her’) converses with her ex about him picking up his things to reminiscing about the past they had and her darker thoughts.
Its intense stuff with de Niese at times heart-breaking in her raw state of emotion clinging to memories and forlornly hoping that they go back in time, though in her hearts of hearts knowing this is impossible.
I’m not familiar with either the stage version or the opera having only seen the recent filmed versions. Filmed live there is a terrific performance from de Niese inhabiting the character of ‘Elle’ at times desperate, others despairing confused by her stream of consciousness saying what she feels has to be said and what probably shouldn’t. Coupled with James Kent’s tight direction it’s by turns claustrophobic and dense.
It is though rarely as engaging as it should be. Something doesn’t quite click to bring all the base elements – film, singer and music – in a way that should have the viewer empathising with ‘Elle’. As a result, as good as de Niese is, this has the look and feel of a technical project that is easier to admire and appreciate than like.
La Voix Humaine will debut on BBC 2 on 15 April 2022.
Photograph courtesy of Arabella Neville-Rolfe.
