ROH, Live Broadcast
Experience the decadence and elegance of 1870s Paris in David McVicar’s spectacular production of Gounod’s best-loved opera.
Director: David McVicar
Composer: Charles Gounod
Starring: Michael Fabiano, Erwin Schrott, Diana Damrau
Disillusioned with life, the aged philosopher Faust calls upon Satan to help him. The devil Méphistophélès appears and strikes a bargain with the philosopher: he will give him youth and the love of the beautiful Marguerite, if Faust will hand over his soul. Faust agrees, and Méphistophélès arranges matters so that Marguerite loses interest in her suitor Siébel and becomes infatuated with Faust.
There are many versions of the story of Faust, who trades his soul with the Devil for youth and power, but Gounod’s opera remains one of the most constantly enthralling. Above all, the music includes several of popular opera’s most recognisable numbers, performed by a cast of great international singers and the Royal Opera Chorus.
(3hr 30min)