Gounod's Faust
(first published 10th December 2011 - I have re-published it as must-see video clips have now appeared on youtube of this production)
Cast
Faust Jonas Kaufmann
Marguerite Marina Poplavskaya
Mephistopholes Rene Pape
Valentin Russel Braun
Siebel Michele Losier
Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin
 | |
| Jonas Kaufmann as Faust |
Another day, another Faust, lol. Well having so recently seen the Royal Opera House production (September, twice!) Gounod's Faust is starting to become familiar to me, well as familiar as any opera can be for someone so new to the world of opera. Even though Jonas Kaufmann was cast in the title role, and knowing now what an absolutely brilliant performer he is, having seen some write-ups about this Met production, a collaboration with English National Opera, and having learnt of it's strange setting of a stark nuclear laboratory with Faust cast as a nuclear physicist I must confess that I did not have any expectaction that it could possibly match the Royal Opera House production with a setting there more like one would expect and of course with Mr Sex On Legs - Dmitri Hvorostovsky - playing the role of Valentin and sadly missing from this production, so I awaited the start of the screening expecting disappointment; how could any romantic or moving scenario play out successfully in such a setting.
I need not have worried, even though I sat for the first few minutes just trying to get my head around the setting, then Jonas Kaufmann started singing, and all was well in this strange new world of Faust as I was swept away on a tide of his incredible voice combined with his sensitive character portrayal, again I am totally mesmerised by him, his vocal and acting abilities.
 | |
| Faust sings of his lost youth and calls upon Satan for aid |
We find the ageing Faust in the laboratory with Marguerite (Marina Poplavskaya) seated behind at a machine. He is unaware of her presence at this time and one feels that it is not so much an actual physical presence but that she is conjured up to serve as a reminder of part of his lost youth. As he sings of that lost youth and loves, wishing for death he calls upon Satan for aid as he puts poison to his lips. It is not long before a much surprised Faust is joined by Mephistopheles (Rene Pape) who offers him anything he wishes, riches, power, what is it Faust wants? Lost youth is gained by the power of Mephistopholes as Faust emerges from a cloud of smoke rigged out in a beautifully cut white suit, just as Mephistopholes is dressed - lol, I could not help noticing that Jonas's transformation was not quite complete, oh dear, black shoes with a white suit, hahaha! Not quite enough time for the shoes, eh Jonas? Mephistopholes has cast an image of the young, beautiful and innocent Marguerite in Faust's mind, they both depart in search of this conquest for Faust to indulge his new found passion.
This video clip shows the start of the performance
The scene is set still in the laboratory but now we find the chorus on stage, townspeople, soldiers also Siebel and Valentin (Marguerite's brother) as the soldies, including Valentin, prepare to leave for war. Mephistopheles introduces himself to the townspeople.
Rene Pape - Le veau d'or
Faust and Mephistopholes look on searching for Marguerite to appear (nudge, he's got white shoes on now, lol). At first she tries to resist his advances even though she finds herself attracted to him.
The video clip below will simply take your breath away -
Jonas Kaufmann - Salut, demeure chaste et pure -
Hey, but who could resist a guy like that for too long, and a box of jewels into the bargain! Marina Poplavskaya was incredible. I have only seen her in Don Giovanni before as Donna Anna and have to say I did not like her much in that, and I must confess that one of my major misgivings about this production was her casting- Ha! What do I know! Her Marguerite was a sensation (thank you Angela G, understand you backed out on this production) her two back to back arias, There Was a King of Thule and The Jewel Song, she made them look so effortless but sang them so beautifully, I was absolutely transfixed by her performance. WOW!
Marina Poplavskaya - Ballade du Roi de Thule...Air de bijoux (Met 2011)
The love scene - breathtaking
The "Jonas Effect"
Can't help but wonder a little - was some of this the "Jonas effect", I mean who could sing opposite a guy who gives his all as Jonas does and not want want to rise to meet him - well wadda you think at that?
 | |
| Marguerite (Marina Poplavskaya) sings The Jewel Song |
Beautiful love scene, incredibly moving, an absolute joy. Aaaaahhhhhh....
And as for poor Siebel (Michele Losier), didn't stand a chance did he (she).
As is the way in a wicked world, when Satan has a hand, and Faust has had seduced Marguerite and then abandoned her, she is left alone and pregnant with his child.
The soldiers with Valentin return. On finding Marguerite's desperate situation Valentin determines to avenge her and seeks out Faust, in the ensuing fight Faust, with the aid of Mephistopholes' powers, kills Valentin who curses Marguerite as he dies.
The video clip below is of Walpurgis Night scene
With the loss of her brother, the birth of her child, abandonment by her lover, Marguerite has lost her mind and in this sad and sorry state she kills the baby, and act which sees her imprisoned. Faust starts to show some remorse at the situation (about time too!!!) of his former lover and with the help of Mephistopholes tries to free her from prison, but just as it appears she will go along with him she regains her senses and in death is redeemed as we see her ascend the stairway to heaven. For Faust as he is transformed back to his ageing self there is no redemption as he finally takes the poison and dies.
 |
| Marguerite ascends the stairway to heaven |
Yes, incredibly moving, stunningly beautiful, the singing took my breath away, hardly noticed the set to be honest after the inital moments, would definitely see it all through again if I had the chance. Even with Dmitri missing the three star performers made this outstanding and at times even better than the ROH production. Jonas, you've done it again! I adore you! (well not quite as much as Dmitri but you're getting close, lol)
No comments:
Post a Comment