Afternoon on 3 - Thursday Opera Matinee - Gounod: Faust

Gounod's Faust from Chicago. Faust remains Charles Gounod's best-known work, and although it took some time to achieve renown, it has become one of the most frequently staged operas in the repertory. Based on a libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carre, the drama unfolds over five acts, in which Faust sells his soul to Mephistopheles in exchange for a renewal of his youth and passion - a pact that has tragic consequences for him and for the young girl, Marguerite, with whom he falls in love. First staged at the Paris Theatre Lyrique on 19th March 1859, it's very different to the other operas being written at the time. After hearing the work, Saint-Saens described it as "simplicity which attains to the highest consummation of art." For Lyric Opera Chicago's production of this masterpiece, the company's chorus and orchestra are joined by a stellar line-up of soloists, under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis. Presented by Louise Fryer Faust......Piotr Beczala, tenor Marguerite......Ana Maria Martinez, soprano Mephistopheles......Rene Pape, bass Valentin......Lucas Meachem, baritone Siebel......Katherine Lerner, soprano Marthe......Jane Bunnell, soprano Wagner......Corey Crider, baritone Lyric Opera Chorus and Orchestra Sir Andrew Davis, conductor.