August 05, 2009
In today’s CONTRA COSTA TIMES and SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS…
“FEW TALES ARE as beguiling and fascinating as Johann von Goethe’s “Faust.” Part I of this monumental saga was published in 1808, and the great German polymath labored over Part II until 1832, the year of his death.
“At least 16 operas have been written on the “Faust” theme, the most famous of which are Charles Gounod’s 1859 “Faust” and Arrigo Boito’s 1868 “Mefistofele.” In addition, Goethe’s chilling theme of a man selling his eternal soul to the devil in exchange for something earthly and transitory has inspired countless more literary, artistic and cinematic works.
“Festival Opera of Walnut Creek is launching an excursion into the world of “Faust” with its production of the Gounod version. Michael Morgan, who is both directing and conducting, says he is working with a dream cast and some innovative staging.
“In the title role is tenor Brian Thorsett, first prize winner in the 30th annual Carmel Music Society Competition and a graduate of both San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program and England’s Glimmerglass Young American Artist Program. Former Adler Fellow Kristen Clayton will sing the soprano role of innocently trusting Marguerite; bass Kirk Eichelberger, wily, ruthless Mephistopheles; baritone Eugene Brancoveanu, Marguerite’s brother Valentin; Erin Neff, Siebel; Patrice Houston, Marthe; and Zachary Gordin, Wagner.”
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