Why The Royal Opera love performing Faust

Gounod's most popular opera returns in David McVicar's stunning Parisian production. Revival director Bruno Ravella, cast Michael Fabiano, Erwin Schrott, Irina Lungu, and conductor Dan Ettinger describe their experience of rehearsing and performing in this spectacular production of decadence and elegance in 1870s Paris. Find out more www.roh.org.uk...
Gounod's Faust (1859) was one of the world's most popular operas from the 1860s to World War II, and remains a core repertory work. The story, adapted by Gounod's librettists Jules Barbier and Michel Carré from Carré's play Faust et Marguerite, is based on Part I of Goethe's epic poem Faust, which was a major inspiration for many composers during the 19th century and beyond. Gounod added a ballet to Act V when Faust received its first Paris Opéra staging in 1869.
David McVicar's wonderfully theatrical production draws insightful parallels between Faust and Gounod, a composer torn between piety and worldly and romantic success. Sets and costumes by Charles Edwards and Brigitte Reiffenstuel pay tribute to the art and architecture of 1870s Paris, and include a colourful Cabaret d'Enfer, a run-down tenement block and re-creations of a box from the Paris Opéra and the organ loft of Notre-Dame. The variety of settings mirrors the variety in Gounod's score, highlights of which include Méphistophélès's demonic aria 'Le veau d'or', Marguerite's dazzling coloratura Jewel Song, the Act IV Soldiers' Chorus and Act V's impassioned trio as Marguerite struggles to achieve salvation.

[@RussinTirnaNog]

Went to see it last night. Fantastic performance especially the Demons, the agility of the male dances was incredible. Bravo to all the cast.

[@ChristianSpliess]

Definitive one of the highlights of the year so far. Erwin Schrott is a fab Mephistopheles - charming, yet dangerous. Fabianos Faust is very suave, I liked Valentin and the Mirror-Aria was wonderful. I was impressed by the ballet and the church-scene and loved the whole setting. It was a wonderful experience.

[@valikakrivanek6491]

Wonderful performance !It was a great experience ! Erwin Schrott - I believed you are the devil ! You're fantastic !

[@marksutcliffe6355]

I saw this performance with my sister last night. It was an absolutely phenomenal production with the most captivating performances. I was left wonderfully perturbed, and am still processing it now! Bravo!

[@irynasarokina3109]

Magnifique 🤩

[@karldelavigne8134]

Erwin Schrott could tempt anyone. Oh my.

[@taliahd264]

I wish I could come to see this amazing performance one day, I've always had, but I live in the USA and I'm broke😂😂😭😭

[@monsieurd.]

Have the chance to see it yesterday in Yokohama (Japan) and that was great. Even as devot to atheism I do recommend this version. Loved it.

[@danielteixeira309]

Bravo

[@amandalynngrintonwoods9360]

The chest is a fabulous prop!

[@AscheDjidoi]

Blixa Bargeld has also played the role of Mephistopheles.

[@illavonscrylla8488]

❤❤❤

[@annamariabakosi6482]

Faust...az élet/life esszenciája!

[@maytegomez3568]

Where can I buy or watch the full opera?

[@sheelaghhalstead4549]

This week streaming for free from Royal Opera House. So good

[@lisakirchkuchen1266]

Unfortunately, as someone who had to read this book in school i will never be able to enjoy it hahah

[@carolevenables4478]

We also left at the interval as we were really finding it difficult to see as the screen was so dark. I have noticed this with other live broadcasts from ROH. Also, was dissapointed not to see Diana Damrau perform as expected, and no reason given. I saw this production at ROH with Angela Georghiu and Vittorio Grigolo and did this I this was not as good.

[@mastermalaprop]

Diana Damrau has been quite ill for weeks. Irina Lungu was literally helicoptered in for the opening night

[@luvmuzik4me]

Wouldn't it be amazing if they placed this opera in the 16th century, did away with the stupid drugs, etc. and presented it as it was originally imagined?

[@eduardobraivein8496]

I already dislike the production.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Eduardo Braivein The TENOR is not very good at all SORRY guys. Sincerely Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@eduardobraivein8496]

Arnold Amaral The best singer is bass-baritone Erwin Schrott. The rest of the cast is very mediocre.

[@serenashaw-q3y]

Sadly, I think I will stick to the live ballet performances, which I love, and are phenomenal. Act 3 of this seemed interminable. Two hours was enough, I left in the interval. Everyone else in the cinema was really enjoying it, so I think I was just born with the wrong genes!

[@mastermalaprop]

That's more a problem with the opera than with the production. Unfortunately Act III really does drag with aria after aria