Opera on 3

Martin Handley is joined by expert commentator Sarah Hibberd for a production of Gounod's Faust from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, starring Stefan Pop, Carolina López Moreno and Adam Palka, and conducted by Maurizio Benini. Disillusioned with life, the aged Faust resolves to kill himself, but is stopped in his tracks by the Devil in the form of Méphistophélès, who makes him an offer he can't refuse - youth, wealth and the beautiful Marguerite. Goethe's epic poem Faust was a major inspiration for composers during the 19th century, and Gounod's version includes a ballet, exhilarating choral writing and some memorable melodies, including Marguerite's dazzling jewel song. Gounod: Faust. Stefan Pop (tenor: Faust), Carolina López Moreno (soprano: Marguerite), Adam Palka (bass: Méphistophélès), Boris Pinkhasovich (baritone: Valentin), Hongni Wu (mezzo: Siebel), Monika-Evelin Liiv (mezzo: Martha), Ossian Huskinson (bass-baritone: Wagner), Royal Opera Chorus, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Maurizio Benini (conductor).