The first part of Goethes Faust was published in 1808. Wasn’t I writing about Goethes heirs yesterday? This is one of them: Gounod wrote his opera based on that first part in 1959. He wasn’t the first, and he wouldn’t be the last. In fact, the whole of the 19th century was fascinated with the German bestseller.
The story of Doctor Faustus was one that resonated with the industrial progressions of the age. Now that everything seems to be possible, how far do we allow an individual to go for whatever his heart demands, no matter the consequences? In an industrial age, how many victims can we make for profit? Where are the limits of ethics?
Gounod and his librettist bring Goethes allegorical and epic story more down to earth by focussing more on Marguerite, the woman he loves, instead of the man himself. Faust’s redemption is not at stake here, like it is with Goethe.
I wrote about this opera long ago, in the version by Cluytens from 1959. This one is from 1966, and sometimes sounds a bit too much like Italian opera. In that sense, the other is better.