Gounod: Faust, CG 4 (1864 Version)

Charles Gounod's mighty opera Faust, based on Part I of Goethe's play, is filled with enchanting melodies and rich orchestration, and was once among the most popular operas of all. This recording is of the 1864 version created for performance in London, with an additional aria and no spoken dialogue or ballet. The Rijeka Opera Symphony Orchestra and Chorus is conducted by Ville Matvejeff, with tenor Aljaž Farasin, bass Carlo Colombara and soprano Marjukka Tepponen as Faust, Méphistophélès and Marguerite.

Featuring

Ville Matvejeff
Aljaž Farasin
Carlo Colombara
Waltteri Torikka
Lucio Gallo
Diana Haller

Marjukka Tepponen
Ivana Srbljan
Rijeka Opera Symphony Orchestra
Rijeka Opera Chorus
Charles Gounod

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Composer's Artistic Vision

The libretto of Faust incorporates three main themes: the love affair between Faust and Marguerite, a moral warning against sin through Marguerite's example, and the fantastic, which allowed for spectacular stage effects.

Composition History

For the 1864 London production of Faust, Gounod added the aria 'Avant de quitter ces lieux' to the second act specifically for the popular baritone Charles Santley.

Composer Biography

Charles Gounod, the composer of Faust, initially studied theology and considered joining the priesthood, even entering a seminary in 1846.

Critical Reception

Faust became extraordinarily popular after its 1859 premiere, with its international success overshadowing all of Gounod's subsequent operas.

Composition History

Faust reached its final form as a grand opera in 1869 when produced by the Paris Opéra, where all productions had to be entirely sung and include a ballet to satisfy the Jockey Club members.

Composition History

The opera Faust underwent numerous revisions and alterations, creating a constantly varying text, with changes driven by different productions and popular taste.

Composition History

Gounod's opera Faust was inspired by a dramatized version of the Faust legend by Michel Carré, titled Faust et Marguerite, which premiered in Paris in 1850.