Faust

Faust intends to win his heart’s desires, even if it costs him his soul. The charming Méphistophélès offers him a salacious journey through life’s pleasures. Faust bargains away eternity and dives right in. But as the lives around him start to unravel, the devil, it seems, is in the detail. This grand production from one of opera’s greatest living directors, Sir David McVicar, is set in the decadence and debauchery of 1870s Paris. Cathedral columns tower behind a crumbling proscenium arch, where Faust’s terrible pact plays out in all its sinister splendour. And splendid it is. Charles Edwards’ stunning sets recreate iconic Paris landmarks, including a colourful Cabaret de l’Enfer, an opera box from the Palais Garnier and the organ loft of Notre-Dame. Brigitte Reiffenstuel’s lavish costumes are spectacular. The images are at once delightful and disturbing, a reminder that given the chance, any one of us might stumble down Faust’s road. Behind all this is the resounding beauty of Gounod’s music, including the famous Soldiers’ Chorus, the rousing ‘Le veau d’or’ and Marguerite’s beautiful Jewel Song. Faust is grand opera at its very best, with a hefty dose of theatricality. In-demand German conductor Nikolas Nägele, and international singers Rafał Siwek and Stefan Pop, make exciting Opera Australia debuts, alongside homegrown star Siobhan Stagg, who sings Marguerite for the first time.