La Damnation de Faust

La Damnation de Faust certainly belongs to that category of works whose fate seems to be suspended in time. Berlioz took almost twenty years to complete this “dramatic legend”, as it is described in its subtitle, a visionary project which treads a tightrope between a grand opera (which it would subsequently become) and a symphonic poem (a genre in which the French musician rivalled Strauss). He was instantly captivated by Gérard de Nerval’s translation of Goethe’s Faust and the idea of setting the legend to music haunted him for many years. 
We are delighted to welcome a fresh young artistic team to perform this major work which epitomizes the Romantic aesthetic. In the autumn of 2024, the musical rapport between the young conductor Jakob Lehmann and the musicians of Les Siècles was very obvious. Berlioz will be their first opportunity to work together in the orchestra pit. For the last ten years, the young director Silvia Costa has been creating visual and poetic theatre informed by research on the imaginary. This multi-facetted and inventive artist draws on all aspects of the arts to explore the workings of drama. 
Benjamin Bernheim will be taking this opportunity to tackle a new role, which is probably one of the most demanding in the French operatic repertoire. 

New production
Production Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
In collaboration with Palazzetto Bru Zane – Centre for Early Music
In partnership with france.tv

   

This opera will be broadcast on 27 December at 8 p.m. on "Samedi à l'Opéra" presented by Judith Chaine. It will then be available to listen to again on France Musique and the Radio France app.

This opera will be broadcasted on Mezzo Live on 23 November 2025