| Label: EMI CLASSICS Catalog: 5099963161199 Format: DVD Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, Bryn Terfel, Sophie Koch, Simon Keenlyside / Royal Opera Chorus, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Antonio PappanoGounod: Faust Wholenote Discoveries - December 2010 / January 2011
The story of Faust, an old man who trades his immortal soul for a second chance at youth, has fascinated artists for centuries. Opera composers were particularly impressed by it: there are at least a dozen works based on it, amongst them Louis Spohr's Faust (1816), Hector Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust (1846), Charles Gounod's Faust (1859), Arrigo Boito's Mefistofele (1868), Ferruccio Busoni's Doktor Faust (1916–25), Sergei Prokofiev's The Fiery Angel (1927; first performed 1954), Konrad Boehmer's Doktor Faustus (1983), Alfred Schnittke's Historia von D. Johann Fausten (1994) and Igor Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress (1951). Gounod’s Faust is the most familiar work and this production features a stellar ensemble. As Faust, Roberto Alagna is in fine form, though his once–celebrated high end shows signs of strain. Angela Gheorghiu shines as Margueritte, as does Simon Keenlyside as her brother Valentin. Bryn Terfel infuses the role of Mephistopheles with the necessary malice. Finally, the orchestra under the skillful baton of Pappano does the score full justice. The production itself is another story. Messy and too literal (the drinking and carousing takes place under a giant neon Club l’Enfer, as if we did not get the connection), it does not help the principals either. Beautiful Gheorghiu here, for some inexplicable reason, labours under a mousy-blonde wig. The camera follows the singers too closely, revealing what we already knew – save for Keenlyside, they are not great actors. All in all, a wonderful DVD to enjoy with your ears (and heart) wide open and your eyes firmly closed. Robert Tomas
This production features an all-star, enviable cast including Roberto Algagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Bryn Terfel, Simon Keenlyside and Sophie Koch and is directed by David McVicar, one of the most innovative and in-demand directors. McVicar's lush, haunting vision of Faust received glorious praise. The production revels in gothic, seamy Second French Empire setting, with the Act V ballet “haunting the imagination long after.” -The Independent Price: $47.98 |