Faust – Irish National Opera – Review
by Gearoid O’Byrne

Charles Gounod – Faust – An Irish National Opera Production 
Dates & Venues – Until Oct 7th, 2023 at the Gaiety Theatre

Irish National Opera presents Charles Gounod’s Opera “Faust” running at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin with remaining shows on the 3rd, 5th and 7th October 2023 at 7pm. It is sung in French with English surtitles.

French composer Charles Gounod (17 June 1818 – 18 October 1893) wrote 12 operas, the most popular of which has always been his “Faust”, an opera in five acts to a French libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, loosely based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Faust, Part One. It debuted at the Théâtre Lyrique on the Boulevard du Temple in Paris on 19 March 1859 and was first performed in Dublin at the Theatre Royal on the 1st October 1863.

The subject matter of Faust is the classic story of a deal with the devil — of an old man who sells his immortal soul for the sake of regaining his youth for mortal pleasures. Having signed a contract with Méphistophélès (the Devil), Faust regains his youth and commences pursuit of the unfortunate ingénue Marguerite.

[Editor: If spoilers are valid for 160-year-old Operas, avoid the next two paragraphs] With the assistance of Méphistophélès, he successfully woos the innocent (and unguarded) Marguerite, has his wicked way and then abandons her when she bears a child. Treated cruelly by the townsfolk, even her brother Valentin curses her and, apart from her neighbour Marthe and former admirer Siébel, she is rejected by all. Her mind cracks and she kills her child rather than subject it to the cruelty of the world. She is accordingly condemned to death for infanticide.

The final twist in this opera is that ultimately Faust heads to hell to eternal damnation but not before realising that the soul of Marguerite, upon her death, is being borne to heaven to eternal life, she having been forgiven all because of her faith. This storyline is consistent with Gounod’s religious sensibilities. Faust is complicit in evil and in mortal sin and is accordingly condemned. Marguerite as the victim is accepted into heaven when she appeals to the angels to save her.  If this life was cruel to Marguerite, at least a heavenly afterlife awaits her.

This performance by the Irish National Opera stars tenor Duke Kim in his INO debut as the leading role of the younger Faust. Kim has a magnificent voice and an impressive back repertoire and he brings it all to the role. He is ably met by Irish soprano Jennifer Davis who beautifully sings in the role of Marguerite, showing her considerable experience.  American bass-baritone Nicholas Brownlee displays a wicked charm in the role of Méphistophélès and Irish-based Hungarian baritone Gyula Nagy ably fills the role of Valentin, Marguerite’s brother. Dubliner Gemma Ní Bhriain brings a lovely touch to the role of Siébel and Irish mezzo-soprano Colette McGahon is humorously delightful as Marthe Schwerlein. British baritone Mark Nathan plays Valentin’s friend Wagner. The English actor Nick Dunning has an interesting silent role as the older Faust, shadowing his younger self and watching him repeat his life mistakes.

Famous pieces in this opera include Marguerite’s two arias the King of Thule (“Il était un roi de Thulé”) and the Jewel Song (“Ah! je ris de me voir si belle en ce miroir”), Faust’s aria (“Salut! demeure chaste et pure”), Méphistophélès’s aria (“Le veau d’or est toujours debout”), the leading lady’s brother’s farewell to her as he heads off to war (“Avant de quitter ces lieux”), and the famed Soldiers’ Chorus. Together, they demonstrate Gounod’s command of several moods—from playful to gently lyrical to sardonically mocking to determinedly forthright.

The set was imaginative – Faust is the boss of a munitions factory, and grey chimneys belching smoke line the stage with a fiery furnace echoing the eventual damnation of Faust when his contract with Méphistophélès is finally called in. The factory workers are recruited to go to war and in a chilling scene, we see the suffering soldiers entering the furnace of war. The dramatic church scene has Méphistophélès as a confessor in an iron confessional tormenting poor Marguerite while red-clad demons climb over it while a cross made of four joined missile rockets floats overhead. The final scene has Marguerite in a harsh iron and glass-angled cage where she can be observed by all in her misery.

The Irish National Opera Orchestra under resident conductor Elaine Kelly were superb on the night as were the Irish National Opera Chorus.  Full credit to the director Jack Furness, set and costume designer Francis O’Connor and lighting designer Sarah Jane Shiels.

It was a wonderful night’s opera. If you can go, you should!

Cast
Duke Kim – Faust
Nick Dunning – Faust (old)
Nicholas Brownlee – Méphistophélès
Jennifer Davis – Marguerite
Gyula Nagy – Valentin
Mark Nathan – Wagner
Gemma Ní Bhriain – Siébel
Colette McGahon – Marthe Schwerlein
Irish National Opera Orchestra
Irish National Opera Chorus

Creative Team
Elaine Kelly – Conductor
Jack Furness – Director
Francis O’Connor – Set & Costume Designer
Sarah Jane Shiels – Lighting Designer
David Bolger – Choreographer
Aoife O’Sullivan – Répétiteur
Caroline Moreau – Language Coach
John King – Assistant Director
Richard McGrath – Chorus Director