Gounod’s Faust

Charles Gounod: Faust.

With its irresistible stream of melodies, Gounod’s Faust has long been a favourite in the international world of opera. Like Carmen, it began life as an Opera Comique with dialogue interspersed with musical numbers and, also like Carmen, was only transformed into “Grand Opera” with sung recitatives in order to satisfy the demands of Paris Opera House.

We plan a flirtation with Faust’s treatment in different countries in its “formative” years, including Valentin’s aria which was only composed (in English) for the Covent Garden premiere and later translated into French for the Paris Opera House season.

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