Poulenc’s final opera, written for the extraordinary soprano Denise Duval, is based on Jean Cocteau’s play. The opera (45 minutes) is the last conversation between a young woman and her lover, who is abandoning her. Through her little lies, and his thunderous lies, the truth of their relationship becomes clear. It is an overwhelming account of love, and love’s ending. Soprano Paula Sides is ‘the human voice’, partnered by Sergey Rybin on the piano and directed by James Conway.