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.
Ah yes, we've piqued your curiosity. Like a 7th grader questioning his gym teacher's criminal history, you've come to the internet looking for answers. WHO IS JOAN? Actually, we were wondering the same thing, so we sought the esteemed intellect of random people we just met on the street:
As you'll notice, the residents of Baltimore City have differing opinions about just exactly what Joan of Arc is known for! Turns out Joan of Arc is a teenage girl who led the French army to victory against the English back in medieval times (as in, the period in history, not the fake-castle restaurant that doesn't allow eating utensils). After she was captured and sold to the English, they burned her at the stake – only to declare her innocent 25 years later, 25 years too late.
Here at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, we're presenting Arthur Honegger's epic oratorio Jeanne d'Arc au Bücher ("Joan of Arc at the Stake") on November 17 & 18 at the Meyerhoff and also at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall. Check out the video below to hear BSO Music Director Marin Alsop's take on Joan of Arc and the upcoming concert:
We’ve compiled some additional info about Joan if you want to learn more about France’s teenage soldier and heroine. Click Here to purchase your tickets to Jeanne d’Arc au Bücher.
Getting to Know Joan
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 Bücher (“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 Honneger’s astounding composition. See Judith Krummeck’s Essays.
Program Notes
For more information about Arthur Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au Bücher 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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