No Exit (opera)

No Exit is an opera in one act by American composer Tom Cipullo. The libretto, also by Cipullo, is based on Jean-Paul Sartre's 1944 existentialist play Huis Clos (translated as No Exit).

The opera focuses on four characters trapped in a drawing room in Hell: Garcin, Inès, Estelle, and The Valet. Garcin is a journalist and pacifist. Inès is a cynical postal worker. Estelle is a wealthy socialite. The Valet serves as a bureaucratic facilitator of their eternal damnation.

The central premise of the opera, as in Sartre's play, is that "Hell is other people." The characters torture each other psychologically, unable to find solace or genuine connection. Each character requires the validation of another to feel their own existence is meaningful, yet they are constantly frustrated by the others' inability or unwillingness to provide that validation. They are stuck in a loop of dependence and torment, each fulfilling the others' negative projections.

Cipullo’s opera generally adheres closely to the plot and themes of Sartre’s original play. The music emphasizes the characters' emotional turmoil and the claustrophobic atmosphere of their confinement. Premieres have been noted for their intimate settings, further underscoring the psychological nature of the work.

Productions of No Exit are relatively common in university and small opera companies due to its small cast and chamber orchestra scoring. This accessibility makes it a popular choice for exploring existentialist themes within a manageable theatrical context.