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Faust, between passion and damnation

Charles Gounod's most famous opera, first performed at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris on 19 March 1859, is still the most frequently performed French opera in the world today.

Gounod transformed Goethe's eponymous drama into a romantic tragedy perfectly suited to the demands of opera at the time. In each of the five acts of this work, he reveals the full diversity of the human soul in its emotions, questions and anxieties. The brilliant score harmoniously distributes love arias, intimate duets, festive music and popular tunes throughout the work, many of which have become classics.

THE STORY

In 16th-century Germany, Mephistopheles signs a pact with Doctor Faust: he will restore his youth in exchange for his soul. The doctor meets Marguerite, they fall in love, but he leaves her. She has a child, kills it, but nevertheless obtains divine forgiveness upon her death, while the doctor must follow the Devil.

THE MAIN ROLES

• Doctor Faust, philosopher, metaphysician, tenor
• Méphistophélès, sent by the Devil, bass
• Marguerite, young woman with whom Faust is in love, soprano
• Valentin, Marguerite's brother and soldier, baritone
• Wagner, Valentin's friend, baritone
• Siébel, Marguerite's lover, mezzo-soprano