DVD + Blu-Ray:
Critics' Choice - Faust

Starring Michael Fabiano and Erwin Schrott.

The Opus Arte Critics’ Choice series is a diverse range of titles, featuring some of the most acclaimed recordings in the label’s catalogue at a very special price. In this series we celebrate many famous classics while also revisiting some of the more innovative, original and perhaps less well-known productions that the label has long been renowned for showcasing. All the new Critics' Choice releases contain the beautifully designed, original artwork and colour booklets which, along with a new unique cover design uniting all the titles, makes them ideal for collectors.

Disillusioned with life, the aged philosopher Faust calls upon Satan to help him. The devil Méphistophélès appears and strikes a bargain with the philosopher: Faust can have youth and the love of the beautiful Marguerite, but only in exchange for his soul...

Gounod’s masterpiece is given the grandest of Royal Opera stagings in David McVicar’s richly layered and theatrically exuberant production, with the drama moved to Second Empire Paris, spectacular sets and costumes, and extensive dance. Michael Fabiano as a seductively witty Faust, Erwin Schrott as a devilish Méphistophélès and Irina Lungu as a passionate Marguerite are joined by the Royal Opera Chorus and a cast of Royal Opera favourites. Dan Ettinger conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in Gounod’s gloriously tuneful score.

"This is a top-flight cast... Ettinger’s approach is dynamic yet supple, pointing up the alternate punch and delicacy of Gounod’s admirable scoring." (BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★)

Genre Opera
Composer Charles Gounod
Conductor Dan Ettinger
Stage Director David McVicar
Orchestra / Band Orchestra & Chorus of the Royal Opera House
TV Director Rhodri Huw
Sets Charles Edwards
Costumes Brigitte Reiffenstuel
Co-Production Company Opéra de Monte Carlo
Co-Production Company Opéra de Lilli
Co-Production Company Fondazione Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, Trieste
Soloists Michael Fabiano, Erwin Schrott, Irina Lungu, Stéphane Degout, Varduhi Abrahamyan, Carole Wilson, Germán E Alcántara