The Letters of a Portuguese Nun

The work brings to life a series of intimate missives penned by a Portuguese nun in the tumultuous mid‑1600s. In these letters she pours out longing, despair, and fierce devotion to a distant lover, revealing a soul torn between religious vows and an overwhelming heart. The voice is raw and lyrical, letting listeners feel the quiet convent walls echo with her yearning.

This English rendering follows the earlier French editions, striving to preserve the original’s intensity while making the poetry accessible to modern ears. Set against the backdrop of the Portuguese Restoration War, the letters also hint at the political and cultural currents of the time, adding depth to the personal drama. Listeners will be drawn into a world where love defies duty, and where every line trembles with the tension between silence and confession.