je ris de me voir si belle en ce miroir"). Méphistophélès brings in a decorated box containing exquisite jewelry and a hand mirror and leaves it on Marguerite's doorstep, next to Siébel's flowers. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Faust-opera. The original version of Faust employed spoken dialogue, and it was in this form that the work was first performed. He has sought in vain for the meaning of life and is tired of living. The tenor Hector Gruyer was originally cast as Faust but was found to be inadequate during rehearsals, being eventually replaced by a principal of the Opéra-… When Faust hesitates, Méphistophélès shows him a vision of the beautiful Marguerite at her spinning wheel. This number was then translated into French for subsequent productions as "Avant de quitter ces lieux" and has become one of the most familiar pieces from the opera. Some sources claim this was out of respect for part 1 of Goethe's poetic drama, which the opera follows closely. He draws his sword, but, as he is about to attack Méphistophélès, the sword breaks in two. He attempts to kill himself (twice) with poison but stops each time when he hears a choir. Scene 2. Siébel stands by her. Stuart Jeffries. Mefistofele is one of many pieces of classical music based on the Faust legend and, like many other composers, Boito used Goethe's version as his starting point. Soldiers, citizens, matrons, and young girls join in the merrymaking. The bells of Easter sound and a chorus of angels sings "Christ est ressuscité!" The music was composed by Charles Gounod. The earliest forms of the … Faust was Gounod’s first great success, the work that established his international reputation. An orgiastic ballet suggests the revelry that continues throughout the night. Marguerite declines Faust’s gallant offer to escort her home and goes on her way. It is also possible that the 1861 Dresden title change was out of respect for Spohr's close and long association with the city. With James Unsworth, Stéphane Degout, Michael Fabiano, Erwin Schrott. At last she comes, but when Siébel approaches her, Méphistophélès bars his way so that Faust can reach her first. Méphistophélès, recovering, tells him that nothing is wrong and asks what he can do for him. Mon 2 May 2011 04.59 EDT. He later composed music for lengthy ballet scenes at the request of the Paris Opéra, which revived the work in 1869. He urges the delighted crowd to drink their fill—to Marguerite. He tells Méphistophélès of this setback, and Méphistophélès promises his help. Gounod's operatic treatment, Faust, which premièred on March 19, 1859, at Paris' Théâtre-Lyrique to great acclaim, is one of a number of musical treatments of the theme by French musicians; these include Louise Bertin's opera Fausto (1831) and Hector Berlioz's "dramatic legend" La Damnation de Faust (1846). Valentin, leaving for war with his friend Wagner, entrusts the care of his sister Marguerite to his youthful friend Siébel ("O sainte médaille ... Avant de quitter ces lieux"). A chorus of students, soldiers and villagers sings a drinking song ("Vin ou Bière"). It was a play that stayed with me long after it finished. Faust sets down his phial of poison and curses happiness, learning, prayer, and faith. Faust enters and asks Méphistophélès what is wrong. Faust is considered by many to be Goethe's magnum opus and the greatest work of German literature.. Faust, an aged artist, contemplates ending his life. Valentin takes the bait and comes out of the cottage, now knowing that Faust has debauched his sister. The work draws upon Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s two-part play based on the German legend of a man who sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for knowledge and power. Astonishment and terror, méphistophélès shows him a vision of Marguerite will be successful of for. 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