Charles Edwards has recreated famous Paris landmarks such as a vibrant Cabaret de L’Enfer, the organ loft of Notre-Dame, and an opera box from the Palais Garnier, using his remarkable sets. The production is absolutely stunning and does justice to Sir David McVicar's splendid direction of the opera. The costumes in the production are created by Brigitte Reiffenstuel and are truly fantastic. They paint vivid pictures that are both disturbing and charming at the same time, almost as if to remind us that any of us may happen to walk the same path that Faust did. The production is backed by the beautiful music of Gounod, including favorites such as Jewel Song, Soldier’s Chorus and ‘Le veau d’or’.

Behind all this is the resounding beauty of Gounod’s music, including the famous ‘ Soldier’s Chorus’, the rousing ‘Le veau d’or’ and Marguerite’s beautiful ‘Jewel Song’. The show was first made for the Royal Opera House and was a grand opera. It required 14 actors and 11 dancers along with incredibly talented artists to sing the complex pieces of music. It features Guillaume Tourniaire, the French maestro, leading a stellar cast. The title role is portrayed by Saimir Pirgu and Marguerite is played by the young soprano from Kazakhstan, Maria Mudryak. Teddy Tahu Rhodes plays an excellent Méphistophélès as well.

The Story

Faust is an aging scholar. Disappointed with life, he decides to make a deal with the devil. Lured into temptation by the enchanting Méphistophélès, he trades his moral control for a titillating journey through all the earthly pleasures that life has to offer. He gets beauty, love, riches, youth as well as the services of Méphistophélès on earth. However, as the lives around Faust begins to fall apart, he comes to realize that dealing with the devil is never as straightforward as it may first seem.

Good For

Lovers of Drama

Critics Reviews

“The opera is gorgeously tuneful and tells the story of Faust, a man who makes an unlikely deal with the devil. ”
– Timeout