The opera reaches its fruits within the remaining scene during which the nuns are going one after the other to their deaths.

To regular themselves, they sing the Salve Regina, hymn to the Virgin Mary, of which the Latin phrases at one stage appropriately proclaim "we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears."

The dignity of their phrases, fears and actions is mirrored in Poulenc's elegant music, superbly performed all through by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, carried out with nice sensitivity by Robin Ticciati.

In the entire of opera, there's nothing to check with the depth of this shifting remaining scene and Glyndebourne, Barrie Kosky and the forged are to be congratulated on performing all of it to such excessive requirements of perfection.

Box Office: glyndebourne.com or 01273 815 000 (numerous dates till 29 July; a live performance efficiency may also be given on the Proms on 7 August on the Royal Albert Hall.)