The Orchestra of Opera North joins forces with Leeds Festival Chorus, Leeds Philharmonic Chorus, Opera North Young Voices and Opera North Children’s Chorus to perform Berlioz’ epic translation of Goethe’s dramatic poem The Damnation of Faust on Saturday 12 May.
Part opera, part cantata, this ‘dramatic legend’ is an epic retelling of the Faust story that captures the extremes of man’s ambition and folly in music.
The story follows Marguerite, Faust, the devil Mephistopheles, Brander and peasants, gnomes, sylphs, soldiers, students, demons, and the damned and celestial spirits. While angels worship the Lord for his creation, Méphistophélès, complains about the state of affairs in the world. Mankind is corrupt, he claims, and he revels in the evil and disaster that he is able to cause. Faust, turning to sin and evil, makes a pact with the devil, and so the story begins. The music is exquisite and simultaneously grotesque and follows the turmoil from start to finish. The extreme, dramatic nature of the piece is orchestrated for extended woodwind, harps and strings.
Experience a huge retelling of one of the quintessential myths of Western culture that has not been heard live in Leeds Town Hall for the last twenty years, performed by the only orchestra in the country to hold a year-long role in both the concert hall and opera house.
To book call 0113 376 0318
The post AN EPIC RETELLING OF A MYTH appeared first on Leeds Guide.