WNO's Presents Gounod's FAUST

A man who sells his soul for worldly gain finds a perfect home in the Beltway as Washington National Opera stages Charles Gounod's 1859 opera Faust,performed in French with projected English titles. After a 25-year absence from its stage, WNO resurrects the French classic filled with depression, damnation, and demons in the Kennedy Center Opera House. Immortalized by Goethe's dramatic work, Gounod set the legendary German tale of Faust to music with libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré. The opera follows the aging Dr. Faust who is willing to exchange Heaven's rewards for Earth's mortal pleasures. After a pact with Méphistophélès that restores his youth, Faustpursues the lovely Marguerite only to learn his salvation is tragically bound to others, especially for those he loves most. In the tradition of grand French opera and featuring a storybook aesthetic and memorable music, including Marguerite's "Jewel Song," the Soldiers' Chorus and the final trio, Faust returns for six performances, March 16-30, 2019, with tickets starting at $45.

Performing on stages across Europe including Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and Deutsche Oper Berlin, Lirico-spinto tenor Marcelo Puente makes his WNO debut in title role of Faust. Performing as the tragic heroine, Marguerite, is soprano Erin Wall, who made her WNO debut as Don Giovanni's Donna Anna in 2007 after which Opera News noted, "Sure coloratura and incisive phrasing (including hairpin shifts of dynamics) completed the impressive vocal package."

Two stars return to WNO, American bass Raymond Aceto, who local audiences first saw in 2016's Ring Cycle, schemes in the devilish role of Méphistophélès and Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins performs the role of Marguerite's doomed brother Valentin; Hopkins was Papageno in 2014's The Magic Flute. Rounding out the cast includes current Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Samson McCrady as Wagner and former Young Artists Allegra De Vita as Siébel and Deborah Nansteel as Dame Marthe.

Bringing the musical score to life is conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson, who last conducted the WNO Orchestra in 2009's Turandot. This production also marks the return of Garnett Bruce but in his directorial debut for the WNO; Garnett was the associate director for The Magic Flute in which Joshua Hopkins starred.

The creative team for Faust features set and costume designer Earl Staley (WNO debut) and lighting designer Michael Clark (WNO debut); the original lighting designer was Ken Billington. This production originated at Houston Grand Opera.

The opera's running time is approximately three hours and 24 minutes, plus two 25-minute intermissions, and runs for six performances. Visit WNO's website for more information.

Washington National Opera's 2018-2019 season continues with Puccini's towering masterpiece Tosca (May 11-25, 2019), a special Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist performanceA Concert of Comic Masterpieces (May 24, 2019), and other exciting vocal events. Tickets are available now.

Tickets start at $45 and are available online, in person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, and by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324. Groups of 10 or more receive discounts up to 15% forFaust purchases by calling (202) 467-8400. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.

Patrons 30 and under and active-duty members of the military are invited to join the Kennedy Center's MyTix program for special discount offers and chances to win free tickets. MyTix discounts will be available for select performance of Faust. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org/mytix

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