The chorus paints a picture of the despair into which France has fallen and anticipates the mission of Joan.

THE VOICES FROM HEAVEN
Brother Dominic brings Joan a book, the record of her life as translated by the angels in Heaven.

THE VOICES OF THE EARTH
The chorus condemns Joan as a witch and heretic, using the Latin phrases which she heard so often at her trial.

JOAN DELIVERED TO THE BEASTS
Joan’s trial is turned into a bizarre carnival with animals taking the leading roles. The absurdity is underscored by the use of stinging Latin parodies of the Scriptures. A parallel is drawn with the early Christian martyrs in the arenas of Rome.

JOAN AT THE STAKE
Joan searches for a reason behind the pattern of her life which brought her to death at the stake.

THE KINGS or THE INVENTION OF THE GAME OF CARDS
The Hundred Years’ War is danced out as a game of cards in this polite satire on war. The leaders on both sides emerge with their pockets full of gold, and Joan is caught in the web of the complicated game of war.

CATHERINE AND MARGARET
Joan’s voices, silent for so long, return as shimmering images from a medieval manuscript, and Joan relives her moment of joy and triumph.

THE KING SETS OUT FOR RHEIMS
Joan’s reunification of France is portrayed as a country fair where two jovial giants, representing the bread and wine of France, are reunited. The scene ends on a note of awesome reverence as Joan watches Charles VII led to Rheims for his coronation.

THE SWORD OF JOAN
Joan returns in memory to her childhood in Domremy in order to explain to Brother Dominic her faith in God and her sword as a symbol of love. The May Song of the children of her village becomes a recurring theme. Not only was May the month of her greatest triumphs and her death, but it is also the month of the Virgin and a symbol of renewal.

TRIMAZO
The May Song helps Joan to realize that she herself will be the candle mentioned in the song, a burning offering to Heaven.

THE BURNING OF JOAN OF ARC
Joan’s burning takes on the mystical qualities of religious ritual, and the work ends on a note of benediction.