Faust, Royal Opera House - ★★★★★ - Until May 6, 2019


If you're going to put on this grandest of grand operas, do it in style. This is exactly what the brilliant director, David McVicar, and his amazingly talented designer, Charles Edwards, do – it all looks sensationally spectacular. I could write a novella listing the assets of this terrific show, suffice it just to mention the beautiful church scene and the wonderful Waltz at Cabaret d'Enfer. Gounod wrote tune after tune for this show and the set pieces were wonderfully sung bringing out every nuance. As Faust, Michael Fabiano sang with taste and subtlety whilst ringing out the big notes. Irina Lungu was a lovely Marguerite and her jewel song certainly sparkled. Stephane Degout's Valentine produced beautiful tone for his big aria and his death scene was suitably chilling. Then there was Erwin Schrott as Mephistopheles - his superb voice and personality dominated the house. The characterisation was almost spot on - maybe he missed a little of the fun, but he looked incredible in drag! We had wonderfully creepy daemons crawling around the devil and a splendidly bizarre and orgiastic Walpurgis Nacht. Overall this is a grand night of grand opera ... and a grand night of singing.
Reviewed by D.S.J.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆ 

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WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
April 11, 15, 18, 25, 30 & May 3, 6 (2019)
7:00 pm
Royal Opera House
Nearest tube: Covent Garden
https://www.roh.org.uk/productions/faust-by-david-mcvicar
Map & Location: Bow St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD, UK

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