Faust
Gounod |
 |
ACT 1
Alone in his study, the aged Dr. Faust despairs that his lifelong search for
a solution to the riddle of life has been in vain. Twice he raises a goblet of
poison to his lips but falters when the songs of young men and women outside his
window re-awaken the unfulfilled passions and desires of his youth. Cursing life
and human passion, the envious philosopher calls on Satan for help. The Devil
appears, and Faust tells him of his longing for youth and pleasure; Méphistophélès
replies that these desires can be realized 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 Méphistophélès
in search of Marguerite (Duet: "A moi les plaisirs").
Soldiers and townspeople gather for a fair. A young officer, Valentin, holding a
medallion from his sister Marguerite, asks his friend, the young boy Siébel, to
protect the girl in his absence and then bids a touching farewell ("Avant
de quitter ces lieux"). Wagner, a student, starts the revels with a lively
song but is interrupted by Méphistophélès, who delivers an impudent hymn in
praise of greed and gold ("Le veau d'or"). The Devil refuses a drink
from Wagner and amazes the crowd by causing new wine to flow from an old keg.
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 Méphistophélès (Chorus: "De l'enfer"), who cowers before
them. As the crowd begins a waltz, Faust speaks to Marguerite. She demurely
refuses to let him escort her home; Méphistophélès returns to lead the
merrymakers in their dance.
ACT 2
Siébel briefly visits Marguerite's garden to leave her a bouquet of flowers
("Faites-lui mes aveux"). The romantic youth is followed by Faust and
Méphistophélès, who goes in search of a gift to outshine Siébel's; left
alone, Faust hails Marguerite's simple home ("Salut! demeure"). The
Devil returns with a box of jewels, which he places near Siébel's flowers. When
Marguerite arrives, she sits by her spinning wheel to sing a ballad about the
King of Thule ("Il était un roi de Thulé"), distractedly
interrupting the verses with reflections on the stranger she has met.
Discovering the flowers and box, the girl exclaims in delight as she adorns
herself with jewels. ("Ah! je ris"). Méphistophélès detours a nosy
middle-aged neighbor, Marthe, by flirting with her, so that Faust may complete
his seduction. As Méphistophélès invokes a night full of stars, Marguerite
confesses her love (Duet: "Il se fait tard!"), but nevertheless begs
Faust to leave. The Devil mocks Faust's failure, and points to Marguerite, who
has reappeared at her window. As she ecstatically expresses her love for Faust,
they meet and embrace. She yields to his embraces, as Méphistophélès'
taunting laughter is heard in the garden.
ACT 3
Marguerite seeks refuge in church, only to be pursued by Méphistophélès,
who curses her and torments her with threats of damnation. She collapses.
In the town square, Valentin and his comrades return from war, singing the glory
of those slain in battle (Soldier's Chorus: "Gloire immortelle"). The
soldier questions Siébel about Marguerite but receives only evasive replies;
puzzled, he enters his house. Faust, remorseful at having abandoned Marguerite,
arrives with Méphistophélès, who serenades the girl with a lewd ballad
("Vous qui faites l'endormie"). Valentin, stepping forth to defend his
sister's honor, fights a duel with Faust. At a crucial moment, Méphistophélès
interferes and Faust inadvertently kills Valentin. As the Devil drags Faust
away, Marguerite kneels by her fatally wounded brother, who curses her with his
last breath. She rises slowly and giggling madly to herself, moves through the
crowd of villagers.
In the prison Marguerite lies asleep, condemned to death for the murder of her
illegitimate child. Faust and Méphistophélès 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 Méphistophélès emerges from the
shadows urging haste, Marguerite calls on the angels to save her (Trio: "Anges
purs, anges radieux"), and she walks to the gallows. Méphistophélès
pronounces her condemned, but as she approaches the hangman, a choir of angels
proclaims her salvation.
-- courtesy of Opera News