Faust

ACT I
The scholar Faust is grappling with growing old. He believes his best years are already behind him. Only the distant voices of young girls prevent him from committing suicide (N°1 Introduction and N°2 Scène et Choeur “Rien !”) Faust aspires to youth and lashes out at God (N°3 Scène “Mais ce Dieu, que peut-il pour moi ?”). At that moment a mysterious stranger appears in Faust’s house: Méphistophélès. He offers to give him back his youth. In exchange, Faust’s soul will belong to him after his death. Faust accepts the pact. A magic potion from Méphistophélès transforms him into a young man (N°4 Duo “Me voici !”).

ACT II
Faust and Méphistophélès go on a trip to mingle with people (N°5 Choeur général “Vin ou bière”). The soldier Valentin is about to be called up for military service. He draws strength and comfort from a gift from his sister Marguerite (N°6 Scène, Récitatif et Cavatine “Ô sainte médaille”). Siebel the student is also enthusiastic about Marguerite. He is in love with her. Méphistophélès disturbs the evening’s serenity. He provokes all present with a song (N°7 Ronde du veau d’or). When Méphistophélès also demonstrates his magical powers, the atmosphere changes (N°8 Scène et Choeur “Merci de ta chanson !”). Méphistophélès is chased away (Choral des épées). Faust and Méphistophélès set off for new adventures. During a dance, they meet Marguerite. Faust immediately falls in love with her. Siebel is forced to observe Faust’s attempts to seduce Marguerite. However at first she turns the latter away. Méphistophélès promises to help Faust win Marguerite’s love (N°9 Valse et Choeur “Ainsi que la brise légère”).

ACT III
A love-struck Siebel appears with flowers in front of Marguerite’s home. But his gift wilts in his hands (N°10 Entracte et Couplets “Faites-lui mes aveux”). Faust and Méphistophélès are also keeping watch in front of the house (N°11 Scène “C’est ici ?”). Faust is exhilarated by his love for Marguerite (N°12 Cavatine “Quel trouble inconnu me pénètre?). Méphistophélès brings precious jewels which he places in front of Marguerite’s door as a gift (N°13 Recitative “Alerte ! La voilà ! – Fuyons !”). In her room, Marguerite is still thinking about the strange young man she met at the dance (N°14 Scène et Air “Je voudrais bien savoir quel était ce jeune homme”). She tries to take her mind off it with a love story (Chanson du roi de Thulé). But when she discovers the jewels, the new experience of the precious gift plunges her into a state of excitement (Air des bijoux). Martha, Marguerite’s neighbour, advises her to accept the present. Finally, Faust and Méphistophélès come out of their hiding place (N°15 Scène “Seigneur Dieu! Que vois-je ?”). While Méphistophélès distracts a rapidly-impassioned Marthe, Faust goes for a walk with Marguerite (N°16 Quatuor “Prenez mon bras un moment !”). Once again, Marguerite wants to take leave of Faust. But, encouraged by Méphistophélès, Faust persists (N°17 Scène “Il était temps !”). Faust and Marguerite draw closer to each other (N°18A Duo “Il se fait tard !”). But when Faust hesitates to take the final step, Méphistophélès takes back control of the situation (N°18B Scene “Tenez ! Elle ouvre sa fenêtre...”).

ACT IV
Several weeks have passed. Marguerite is pregnant. And Faust has left her (N°19 Scène et Air “Il ne revient pas.”). Siebel has to admit that Marguerite will never love him. He promises that he will always be there to help her (N°20 Récitatif et Couplets “Versez vos chagrins dans mon âme !”). Alone, in a public place, Marguerite is tormented by forebodings. Méphistophélès frightens her (N°21 Scène de l’église “Seigneur, daignez permettre à votre humble servante”). Along with the other soldiers, Valentin is also coming home (N°22 Choeur des soldats). Siebel tries to conceal Marguerite’s pregnancy from her brother, but he is unable to prevent Valentin from going to her home (N°23 Récitatif et Scène “Allons, Siebel! Entrons dans la maison !”). Faust, too, wants to see Marguerite again. Méphistophélès sings a mocking serenade below her window (N°24 Sérénade “Vous qui faites l’endormie”). Valentin sees his sister dishonoured and mocked by Faust and Méphistophélès. Once again, he allows himself to be provoked and attacks them both. During the fight, he is mortally wounded by Faust (N°25 Trio du duel “Que voulez-vous, messieurs ?”). Faust and Méphistophélès flee. As he dies, Valentin curses his sister (N°26 Mort de Valentin).

ACT V
Faust and Méphistophélès hurry through the night (N°27 La nuit de Walpurgis et N°28 Bacchanale). In a vision, Faust sees Marguerite kill her newborn child. He wants to join her (Fin du N°29 Scène “Qu’as-tu donc?”). Faust finds Marguerite haggard and confused. Full of anguish and guilt, she refuses all help from him (N°30 Scène de la Prison). Méphistophélès exhorts them both to flee with him. Marguerite refuses. She no longer believes she can be saved (N°31 Trio final “Alerte, alerte!”). But redemption comes from unexpected quarters (N°32 Apothéose “Sauvée”).