Gounod’s Faust was the most successful opera of its time, reaching Covent Garden in 1863, four years after its Parisian premiere, and quickly becoming a favorite of Victorian audiences.
David McVicar's vivid, large-scale production of Gounod's 19th-century blockbuster is “opera at its grandest and best.” (Wall Street Journal Europe) From the sumptuous costumes and sets, to the tremendous singing, this is one performance you will never forget. The all-star cast includes Angela Gheorghiu, Vittorio Grigolo, Rene Pape and Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
Angela Gheorghiu returns to the role of Marguerite, which she sang when the staging was new. Vittorio Grigolo, who made such a sensational Covent Garden debut as Des Grieux in Manon in 2010, sings the philosopher, Faust, whose moral scruples are undermined by the intrigues of the demon Méphistophélès – a rare and welcome appearance from the rich-toned German bass René Pape. Popular baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky is Marguerite’s unlucky brother Valentin, with musical direction from experienced Italian conductor Evelino Pidò.
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