We’re staying in Paris for this week’s Sunday Opera (8/18 3:00 p.m.) with a performance by the Orchestre National de France of Hector Berlioz’s “Damnation of Faust” from the Theatre de Champs-Elysees.
The libretto by Berlioz, Almire Gandonniere, and Gerard de Nerval was based on a translation of Goethe’s work by de Nerval and follows the aging Faust (John Irvin) as he is rejuvenated by the malicious Mephistopheles (Paul Gay), seduces the innocent Margurite (Stephanie d’Oustrac) who accidentally kills her mother, and ultimately sacrifices his soul to save that of the innocent Margurite whom he came to love.
The cast also includes Frederic Caton as Brander, one of Faust’s students, and Claudine Margely as the “Heavenly Voice.” They are joined by the Radio France Chorus and the French National Orchestra conducted by Cristian Macelaru.
Our afternoon of Berlioz will continue with a familiar and much-loved piece and its “sequel” which is not as well known.
We’ll begin with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Munch and their recording of the Symphony Fantastique which follows the life of an artist who is so tortured by his unrequited love that he attempts suicide. This is said to be highly autobiographical as Berlioz was devastated by his lost love.
Our second piece, seen as the sequel, is “Lelio, or the Return to Life.” This piece, which features solos performed here by tenor Herbert Lippert and baritone Geart Smits as well as choral work by the Wiener Singakademie and, as the title suggests, represents the artist overcoming his loss and rejoining life. Michael Gielen conducts the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.
