La Damnation de Faust
Hector Berlioz
A musical epic served up by a top-flight vocal team and the Radio France Chorus.
Stanislas de Barbeyrac is unwell and has been replaced by John Irvin in the role of Faust.
Thank you for your understanding
John Irvin | Faust
Stéphanie d’Oustrac | Marguerite
Paul Gay | Méphistophélès
Frédéric Caton | Brander
Cristian Măcelaru | direction
Orchestre National de France
Chœur de Radio France | direction Josep Vila I Casañas
Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust undoubtedly belongs to that category of works which seems to be suspended in time. Berlioz took almost twenty years to complete this dramatic legend and visionary poem akin to both a grand opera (which it subsequently became) and a symphonic poem (a form in which the French musician’s mastery rivalled that of Strauss). Instantly captivated by Gérard de Nerval’s translation of Goethe’s Faust, Berlioz was haunted for many years by the idea of setting the legend to music. From the plains of Hungary to Faust’s study, and from the banks of the Elbe to Marguerite’s bedchamber, this work is a major example of the Romantic aesthetic.
Coproduction Théâtre des Champs-Elysées | Radio France
France Musique et ARTE Concert diffusent ce concert en direct.