La voix humaine is a one-act opera by Francis Poulenc, composed in 1958 to a libretto by Jean Cocteau and premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 6 February 1959. The work is a monodrama for solo soprano and orchestra - the entire piece follows a single woman, known only as Elle, through a last, anguished phone call with the lover who is leaving her. Poulenc wrote the role specifically for soprano Denise Duval, who created it alongside conductor Georges Prêtre and a stage designed by Cocteau himself. The opera has since become a touchstone of the 20th-century repertoire, attracting generations of leading sopranos and inspiring film and theatre adaptations.
Barbara Hannigan sang and conducted La voix humaine with the New York Philharmonic at David Geffen Hall in a multimedia production that had previously toured Europe.
The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées staged La voix humaine paired with a new companion piece, Point d'orgue, by composer Thierry Escaich, with Patricia Petibon as Elle.
The Opéra Royal de Wallonie presented a new production of La voix humaine in its 2025-26 season.
A version of La voix humaine arranged for organ (after Poulenc's piano score) was performed at the Salle philharmonique de Liège, with soprano Anne-Catherine Gillet.
A BBC Two film of La voix humaine starring soprano Danielle de Niese, with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House conducted by Antonio Pappano, was released on 15 April 2022.
