Faust Berkshire Opera Festival in Great Barrington Libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on Goethe’s “Faust, Part I” Music by Charles Gounod Directed by Jonathan Loy “Anges purs, anges radieux.” Charles Gounod wrote his masterpiece “Faust” in 1859, ultimately replacing the spoken dialogue with sung recitative, the form we know it in now. As with so many French operas, it is a string of hit tunes held together loosely by an inviting story line that was already familiar to many opera-goers.
It is a great work, easily understood, that is very enjoyable. Roughly, elderly Faust desires young Marguerite and makes a deal with the Devil for youth so he can pursue her. When she capitulates, it is her undoing, and she dies in prison while he mourns the loss of his love and his soul.
Berkshire Opera Festival (BOF) is presenting this work with a fine cast of singers and an excellent orchestra conducted by co-founder Brian Garman with a simple but effective production. Sung in French, the company employs supertitles in English. Written in five acts, the company uses a single intermission after Act Three, which ends with the famous “Jewel Song” in which Marguerite celebrates the mysterious gift of a chest full of fabulous gems.
On opening night, Raquel Gonzalez sang Marguerite’s song with gusto, clarity, and great beauty. It was joyful to watch and listen to this beautiful young woman sing the triumphant song that celebrates the physical strengths of love .