Libretto by Francis Poulenc and Emmet Lavery from the drama by Georges Bernanos based on the novel by Gertrude von Le Fort based on Relation by Mother Marie of the Incarnation of God.

First performed on January 26, 1957 at La Scala in Milan.
Place: The Carmelite convent at Compiegne, Paris.
Time: During the French Revolution and subsequent Terror 1789 - 1794

Act I
Scene 1

The library in the house of Marquis de la Force, Paris; April 1789.

The Chevalier rushes in, concerned about his sister Blanche's safety as her carriage has been stopped by a protesting mob. The Marquis, who has been resting, recalls the horror he and his wife faced in a similar situation. Unfortunately, his wife was pregnant with Blanche at the time and died giving birth to her in that carriage. The Chevalier is extremely worried because Blanche is rather high strung and impressionable. Blanche finally appears, seemingly fine, and says she's tired and will go to bed. A scream is heard as Blanche thinks she's seen a terrifying shadow on her wall. She asks her father's permission to join the Carmelite convent as she feels she must find salvation.

Scene 2

The parlor of the Carmelite convent.

Several weeks later, the aging Prioress interviews Blanche. She reminds Blanche of the nature of their order and begins to interrogate Blanche about her real reasons for wanting to join the convent. The Prioress tells Blanche that the order cannot protect anyone, that it is a house of prayer and should be protected by the order. Blanche is resolved to join the order and the Prioress gives her blessing.

Scene 3

Inside the convent.

Sister Constance enters. She is a young peasant girl who is very fun loving and treats life and death with the same lightness. She shocks Blanche. Constance happily tells Blanche about her premonition that she and Blanche will both die young and on the same day.

Scene 4

The infirmary.

The Prioress is dying and questions her relationship with God. Mother Marie stands by her and the Prioress asks Marie to take care of Blanche. Blanche appears to receive a blessing and then to witness the Prioress' death.

Act II
Scene 1

The chapel.

Blanche is left alone to watch over the body of the Prioress, however she becomes frightened and runs away in panic. She is chastised and then forgiven by Marie. Constance thinks that they die not for themselves but for others and that God gave the Prioress the wrong death.

Scene 2

The chapter room.

The new Prioress warns the convent that trouble is coming. There is brief panic when it is announced that a stranger has arrived. It is Blanche's brother, the Chevalier. Mother Marie allows the visit as long as she can be present.

Scene 3

The parlor.

The Chevalier begs Blanche to come home with him. As royalty and a nun, Blanche is in tremendous danger from the coming Terror. Blanche tells him that she will stay and die, if necessary, with her order.

Scene 4

The sacristy.

Father Confessor is leading the nuns in prayer. He bids them goodbye as he must go into hiding. The Prioress warns the sisters of the temptation of martyrdom. An angry crowd is heard outside. Officials enter and read the order of expulsion from the convent. One of the officials is sympathetic to the nuns however he feels he cannot help them. During the chaos, Blanche is given a statue of the Infant Jesus but she accidentally drops it on the floor, smashing it to pieces.

Act III
Scene 1

The chapel.

The chapel is in ruins but the sisters are strong. Mother Marie suggests that the sisters take a vow of martyrdom (the Prioress is currently absent). She suggests a secret vote but Blanche is the one dissenting vote that renders the vow null. Constance tries to take the blame on herself, stating that she was the one dissenting vote and she has changed her mind. The vote then stands and Blanche runs away. The nuns are told that their community is illegal. The Prioress agrees to the vow as it was made to God.

Scene 2

The library of the Marquis.

Blanche is terrified. Her father has been guillotined and his house is in ruins. She is living as a servant. Mother Marie arrives and tells Blanche that while she may have saved her life, she has not saved her soul. Blanche then hears that the Compiegne Carmelite nuns have been arrested.

Scene 3

The conciergerie.

The Prioress is trying to give the sisters strength and courage. The jailer enters and gives them their death sentence. The Prioress gives the sisters her blessing. Mother Marie is distraught that she is not with her sisters, but Father Confessor calms her telling her that if God wants another destiny for her, it will be revealed.

Scene 4

Place de la Revolution.

A final prayer (Salve regina) is sung by the nuns on their way to the guillotine. A crowd looks on as one by one the nuns are guillotined. Blanche appears transformed and fearless and joins the line of nuns. Constance is overjoyed at her appearance. Blanche sings alone until she is guillotined. The dumbfounded crowd disperses.