In form this one-hour opera is nearly unique. It is a monodrama, a monologue for a single singer, a soprano. The action in this libretto by Jean Cocteau takes place in the woman's bedroom. It is dominated by the telephone. The text consists of her answering it and talking to the callers. The principal of these, and the cause of her anxiety and agitation, is her lover; at risk in the story is the continuation of their affair. The simplicity and rather commonplace nature of this dramatic situation does not prevent composer and librettist from fashioning a fascinating emotional portrait of the woman. Poulenc's vocal writing it dazzling, ranging from simple naturalistic speech rhythms, to lyrical and/or passionate outbursts. This is a good opera to meet initially without any further knowledge of the plot, particularly, how it turns out. Just follow the libretto without reading the synopsis, and prepare to be transported into the emotional flow of the story by Poulenc's precisely fitted music.

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