The Great White Army

A veteran surgeon who has survived the chaos of the French Revolution now guides listeners through the fateful 1812 campaign, offering a first‑hand view of Napoleon’s march on Moscow. From his perch atop Mont du Salut he marvels at the city’s glittering domes and mingled Eastern and Western splendor, believing the conquering army will finally taste peace after the blood‑soaked battle of Borodino.

The narrative then turns to his daring nephew, Léon, a young Vélite of the Guard, as they enter a deserted capital where convicts still cling to the governor’s palace. Through encounters with eccentric locals, including a French émigré named Heriot, the story hints at the thin line between triumph and tragedy that the Grande Armée must soon confront. Listeners are drawn into the tension between awe‑inspiring beauty and the looming hardships of war.