FAUST -  CHARLES GOUNOD

 

In June 2012, back to Opera Metz, Régis Mengus plays the young Wagner, in this opera of five acts, composed by Charles Gounod.

 

Act 1

         

The old philosopher Faust drinks poison, discouraged for not getting solve the riddle of the universe, but hesitates when he listens to a pastoral choir at from far away. He invokes the Devil,  while cursing humanity, science and faith, and cries for help to recover the youth, get lovers and feel the pleasure of voluptuous caresses in crazy orgies. 

 

Mephistopheles offers him a deal: gives all Faust desires on earth in return  Fausto will serve to Devil. when he will be in hell, Faust-  who loves Marguerie -  hesitates, and Mefistófeles conjures ti him a insight of the beautiful Marguerite seated at the spinning wheel. The old doctor signs a parchment, Mephistopheles keeps it with himself, giving him a potion in exchange. Fausto rejuvenates.

 

Act 2

         

Valentin, who is about to go to war asks to his friends Siébel and Wagner to take care of his sister. Mephistopheles joins the group and entertains them all with an ode to gold that corrupts humanity. Mefistófeles  predicts the deaths of Valentin and Wagner, and cast a curse on Siébel: "Each flower  touch wither before he offers to Marguerite”. At the mention of her sister's name, Valentin challenges the Devil to a duel, but his blade breaks in the air. The men Frightened raise the crosses of their swords. Mephistopheles departs, unable to continue...

 

Fausto enters accompanied by a group of villagers who dance waltz. Marguerite appears, and he offers her his arm, but the young lady, modestly, do not encourage his gallant advance. Mephistopheles promises to help Fausto to seduce the girl.

 

Act 3

         

Siébel dips hands in the holy water Then you remove the curse, leaves a bouquet of flowers to the young leaves. Mephistopheles puts a case of rich jewels alongside Siébel flowers. Marguerite, discovers the bouquet, but is fascinated with jewels, and she wears them immediately. Marta - the neighbor - convinces her that these jewels are the offer of a rich gentleman in love. Mephistopheles does the courtship to Martha, distracting her so that Faust may seduce Marguerite. After a love duet, Fausto follows her back home up and complete his work of seduction, while the Demon sarcastically laughs by himself.

 

Act 4

         

After giving birth, Marguerite is rejected by her old friends. Siébel attempts to encourage her, for she has been abandoned. Valentin returns from war.

         

After a provocative serenade Mephistopheles does under Marguerite's window, Fausto Valentin declares to be responsible for the misery of his sister.

 

They duel each other. Fausto, protected by the powers of the Devil, mortally hurts Valentin. Marguerite holds her brother, who before dying in her arms, curses her.

 

Act 5

         

Faust, filled with remorse, asks to Mephistopheles to take him to Marguerite, where she is awaiting execution in prison, convicted of killing her child after losing her sanity. Possession of the cell keys, Fausto find it. Recall his love and Fausto begs her to come with him. Seeing the Devil, Marguerite backs and invoking divine protection, falls dead. Fausto falls to his knees. An archangel, wielding a light sword, prevents the movement of Mephistopheles, who runs away, carrying with Fausto. They recall their love and Fausto begs her to come with him. By seeing the Devil Marguerite falls dead while she turns back, invoking divine protection.

           

Fausto falls on his knees. An archangel, wielding a light sword, impedes the movement of Mephistopheles, who runs away, carrying Fausto with him.