Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées

“This marvelous book fascinated me from the first," wrote Berlioz in his memoirs about Geothe's Faust. "I could not put it down. I read it incessantly, at meals, in the theatre, in the street." This timeless tale tells the story of a disillusioned scholar who enters into a pact with the demon Méphistophélès, leading him on a tragic journey through passion and temptation that culminates in eternal damnation. Inspired by the work, Berlioz composed a masterpiece of French Romanticism that defies convention: The Damnation of Faust is a légende dramatique blending elements of opera, symphonic poem, and cantata. Scored for four soloists, a full seven-part chorus, a large children’s chorus, and orchestra, the composition showcases a rich musical diversity — from the martial character of the "Rákóczi March" to the lyrical introspection of Faust’s "Invocation to Nature." First performed at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 6 December 1846, The Damnation of Faust returns to its French roots at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in a brand new production. Experience stage director Silvia Costa’s striking vision in collaboration with the musicians of Les Siècles, conducted by Jakob Lehmann, and Petr Nekoranec in the immensely demanding title role — one of the most challenging in the operatic repertoire.

Photo © Vincent Pontet