Opera Birmingham

by Charles Gounod
in French with projected English titles
Friday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 30 at 2:30 p.m.
Wright Center, Samford University
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CAST:

(subject to change)

Faust: Bryan Hymel
Marguerite: Mary Dunleavy
Mephistopheles: Kirk Eichelberger
Valentin: Michael Mayes
Siebel: Millinee Bannister
Marthe: Gloria Parvin
Wagner: Daniel Seigel

Conductor: Israel Gursky
Stage Director: Dona D. Vaughn
The Opera Birmingham Chorus
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra

Listen

Avant De Quitter Ces Lieux (Valentin) 
Il ne revient pas (Marguerite)
Le Veau D'Or - Song of the Golden Calf (Mephistopheles) 
Salut! demeure chaste et pure (Faust) 

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Opera Synopsis

ACT I

Alone in his study, the old and disillusioned Dr. Faust laments that his lifelong search for knowledge has yielded nothing but despair. Twice he raises a goblet of poison to his lips but falters when he hears the songs of merry-makers outside. Cursing his fellow men, the envious philosopher invokes Satan. The Devil appears, and Faust tells him of his longing for youth and pleasure; Mephistopheles replies that these desires can be fulfilled if he will forfeit his soul. Faust hesitates until the Devil conjures up a vision of a lovely maiden, Marguerite. A magic potion transforms Faust into a handsome youth, and he leaves with Mephistopheles in search of Marguerite.

Soldiers and townspeople gather for a fair. A young officer, Valentin, holding a medallion from his sister Marguerite, asks his friend Siebel to protect the girl in his absence and then bids a touching farewell. A student named Wagner starts the revelry with a lively song but is interrupted by Mephistopheles, who delivers an impudent hymn in praise of greed and gold. The Devil refuses a drink from Wagner and amazes the crowd by causing new wine to flow from an old cask. When he makes a brazen toast to Marguerite, Valentin draws his sword, but it shatters; the other soldiers, recognizing Satan, hold their swords like crosses before Mephistopheles, who backs away. They leave, and as the crowd begins a waltz, Faust speaks to Marguerite. She demurely refuses to let him escort her home; Mephistopheles returns to lead the merry-makers in their dance.

ACT II

Siebel briefly visits Marguerite's garden to leave her a bouquet of flowers. The romantic youth is followed by Faust. Mephistopheles goes in search of a more impressive gift; left alone, Faust hails Marguerite's simple home. The Devil returns with a box of jewels, which he places next to Siebel's flowers. When Marguerite arrives, she sits by her spinning wheel to sing a ballad, interrupting the verses with reflections on the stranger she met. She discovers the flowers and delightedly adorns herself with the jewels. Mephistopheles detours a nosy middle-aged neighbor, Marthe, by flirting with her so Faust can make his conquest. As night falls, Marguerite confesses her love, but overcome with maidenly scruples she persuades Faust to leave. When he is about to comply, the Devil mockingly sends him back and laughs as Marguerite, who has reappeared at her window, yields to her lover's embrace.

ACT III

In her garden, Marguerite, deserted by Faust, endures the taunts of her former friends and laments that her lover will never return. Siebel offers to defend her honor. Marguerite seeks refuge in a church, shadowed by Mephistopheles, who torments her with curses and threats of damnation. She collapses.

In a town square, Valentin and his comrades return from war, singing the glory of those slain in battle. The soldier questions Siebel about Marguerite but receives only evasive replies; puzzled, he enters his house. Faust, remorseful at having abandoned Marguerite, arrives with Mephistopheles, who serenades the girl with a suggestive ballad. Valentin, stepping forth to defend his sister's honor, fights a duel with Faust, who, guided by Mephistopheles, runs him through. As the Devil drags Faust away, Marguerite kneels by her fatally wounded brother, who curses her with his last breath.

ACT IV

Marguerite lies asleep in prison, condemned to death because she has been accused of giving birth to a child who has mysteriously disappeared. Faust and Mephistopheles enter, bent on spiriting her away. As the Devil keeps watch, Faust wakens Marguerite; at first the distracted girl is overjoyed to see her lover, but instead of fleeing with him she tarries to recall their first days of happiness. When Mephistopheles emerges from the shadows urging haste, Marguerite calls on the angels to save her. As she dies, the Devil pronounces her condemned, but angelic choirs proclaim her salvation. The prison gate lifts, and Marguerite embraces the life beyond.