Jeanne d’Arc — Theater an der Wien

The people are full of fear and beg God to come to their aid because England is visiting war upon France. It is for this reason that the farmer Thibaut wishes to marry off his daughter Joan as quickly as possible so that she has a protector. But when news arrives that the English are coming ever closer, Joan feels inspired by the Virgin Mary and foretells that an armed virgin will save France.

Joan says farewell to her village and sets off, convinced that it is she who will be the armed virgin. There is, however, one condition that she must abide by to receive God’s aid: she must renounce all earthly pleasures. When she leads her troops into battle against the English she wins victory after victory and the people celebrate her. But suddenly she falls in love with an enemy soldier, Lionel. She lets him live, thereby breaking her vow. She feels she has now made herself guilty before God and suffers an emotional breakdown.

On the day of her triumph, her father suddenly reappears. He believes that a woman who presumes to wage war must be possessed by the devil, and publicly accuses her of this. Joan offers no defense; she believes she is guilty. The people’s goodwill immediately turns to hostility towards the alleged witch. Lionel tries to shield her and is killed. Joan then allows herself to be taken prisoner. While she is being burned at the stake, the people rejoice at the death of the witch and praise God. Angelic voices announce Joan’s ascent into heaven.

Music

Tchaikovsky

Conductor

Oksana Lyniv

Director

Lotte de Beer

Scenography | costume design

Clement & Sanôu

Light design

Alessandro Carletti

Dramaturgy

Peter te Nuyl