Joan of Arc Essays
Joan of Arc Webumentary
Joan of Arc Program Notes

On November 17-18 at the Meyerhoff and November 19 at New York City’s prestigious Carnegie Hall, the BSO performs the rarely-heard, semi-staged oratorio Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher (“Joan of Arc at the Stake”) by Swiss composer Arthur Honegger, commemorating the 600th anniversary of the French heroine’s birth. An illiterate peasant girl from the obscure village of Domremy in Lorraine, Joan of Arc united and inspired a demoralized French army to launch the eviction of the occupying English armies from France and enabled Charles VII to be crowned as France’s rightful king. Not long after, she was captured, sold to English forces, tried and condemned to death as a heretic, and subsequently burned at the stake in 1431. Revered as France’s patron saint and heroine, Joan of Arc’s remarkably powerful life story continues to fascinate scholars and casual history buffs alike.

Tickets
Want to witness a stunning depiction of France’s beloved heroine and catch this special program before the BSO takes it to Carnegie Hall? Click here to purchase your tickets to BSO’s centerpiece performance of the 2011-2012 season.

Essays
In a series of essays, WBJC's Judith Krummeck has provided illuminating discussion on the subject of Joan of Arc; exploring topics such as the heroine's personal journey as a soldier and saint, her life as inspiration for artists throughout the centuries, and her role in Honegger’s astounding composition. See Judith Krummeck’s Essays.

Program Notes
For more information about Arthur Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher and how Paul Claudel finally agreed to write the libretto after claiming to have seen a vision, please see the program notes.

Webumentary
You can also hear BSO conductor Marin Alsop’s thoughts about Joan of Arc in the BSO’s most recent Webumentary.

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Joan of Arc at the Stake
Thursday, November 17, at 8 p.m. (Meyerhoff)
Friday, November 18, at 8 p.m. (Meyerhoff)