Soprano Paula Sides and pianist Sergey Rybin bring their vibrant new recording to life in a captivating concert film, featuring the works of 20th-century French composer Francis Poulenc. At the heart of the film is Poulenc’s gripping short solo opera, La voix humaine (“The Human Voice”), based on Jean Cocteau’s play. This one-act drama unfolds in a single room, where a solitary woman, abandoned by her lover, reveals her suicide attempt during a harrowing final telephone conversation. Paula Sides’ intense and emotionally charged performance captures the essence of this poignant and disturbing monologue.

Complementing La voix humaine is Poulenc’s exquisite song cycle Fiançailles pour rire (“Betrothals for Laughs”), his 1939 musical adaptation of six poems by Louise de Vilmorin. Sergey Rybin’s masterful piano accompaniment enhances Sides’ expressive vocals, creating a mesmerizing auditory and visual experience.

Immerse yourself in this stunning film, where music, drama, and emotion intertwine to present Poulenc’s masterpieces in an unforgettable concert setting.

Performers
Paula Sides soprano
Sergey Rybin piano