“Theatrically Daring” New Faust Comes to Orcas

Faust, who sold his soul for success, as portrayed by Jonas Kaufmann in new production of Gounod's opera

Sunday, Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. at Orcas Center

Begin the New Year at the Met when Faust by Gounod is shown “Live in High Definition (HD)” to Orcas Island audiences.

Three of opera’s biggest stars –Jonas Kaufmann, René Pape, and Marina Poplavskaya—take the lead roles in a new production of Gounod’s beloved opera. Tenor superstar Jonas Kaufmann sings the title role for the first time at the Met; world-famous Méphistophélès René Pape reprises one of his greatest roles; and the riveting singing actress Marina Poplavskaya takes on the iconic role of the victimized Marguerite.

The new staging of Faust is by the Tony-winning director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Tommy, Broadway’s upcoming Jesus Christ Superstar), in his Met debut. His production, which sets the action in the early part of the 20^th century, casts the opera’s timeless themes of sin, temptation, and redemption in a more contemporary light.  The traditional setting for Faust is 16th-century Germany, a time when alchemists and philosophers were familiar characters in real life. Des McAnuff’s new Met production places the action in the first half of the 20th century.

Gounod’s score is famous for a variety of well-known arias and ensembles, including Marguerite’s coloratura showpiece “Jewel Song,” Faust’s longing ode to Marguerite “Salut, demeure chaste et pure,” Méphistophélès’s irreverent hymn about the pleasures of sin, “Le veau d’or,” and the final trio, in which all three voices join in a battle for Marguerite’s soul. The gifted young conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who led the critically acclaimed “Live in HD” transmissions of Carmen and Don Carlo in recent seasons, conducts his first Met performances of this opera.

Gounod’s opera was performed on the opening night of the old Metropolitan Opera house in 1883, and has been a staple of the Met’s repertory ever since. It was the most-performed opera at the Met for much of the early twentieth century and is still among the top 10 most frequently performed operas at the Met.

“Don’t miss this theatrically daring new Faust!” New York Times wrotewhen Des McAnuff’s new production premiered at the Met last week. “Met superstar Jonas Kaufmann was a vocally splendid Faust. Marina Poplavskaya’s sound was shimmering, plush, and penetrating. René Pape’s Méphistophélès was all suavity and calculation,”

“Rarely has that score sounded more captivating than in the rhapsodic account by the Met orchestra under the guidance of the young conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin” (Associated Press. The live transmission is hosted by mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.  Running time is approximately 4 hours.

Tickets for Faust are $15 for adults and $11 for students. $2 off for Orcas Center Members and may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling  376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon- 4 pm. For more information about Orcas Center 2011 season events, please visit www.orcascenter.org.