大象传媒

ACT I<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Weary of life and the vain pursuit of knowledge, the aged Faust decides on suicide. He is stopped in his tracks by the light of dawn and voices singing God鈥檚 praises. Faust bitterly renounces God and calls on Satan. Mephistopheles duly appears. He will satisfy Faust鈥檚 hedonistic demands in return for the philosopher鈥檚 soul. Hesitating at the last moment before signing the diabolic contract, Faust is finally swayed by a vision conjured up by Mephistopheles of the beautiful and innocent Marguerite: Faust must have her.

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ACT II

The town is celebrating. In their midst, Valentin is preoccupied with thoughts of leaving to fight in the war. He asks his friends to look after his sister Marguerite while he is away; among them is Siebel, who is in love with her. They are interrupted by Mephistopheles, who sings a blasphemous song and makes innuendos about Marguerite. This is too much for Valentin who is roused to defend his sister and attack Mephistopheles, but his sword breaks mid-air and everyone hastily withdraws. Mephistopheles is joined by Faust; when Marguerite appears she rejects Faust鈥檚 attentions.

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ACT III

Siebel leaves a bouquet of flowers for Marguerite. Next, Faust extols the virtues of Marguerite鈥檚 home while Mephistopheles also finds something to leave her: a box full of jewels. Marguerite appears, lost in thought, but is overcome with excitement as she discovers the jewel box and tries on its contents. Marthe Schwertlein, Marguerite鈥檚 neighbour, thinks that the jewels must be from an admirer. When both women are joined by Mephistopheles and Faust, the former distracts Marthe so that Faust can seduce Marguerite.

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ACT III

Five months have passed. Marguerite has been deserted by Faust, but is carrying his child. In church, her prayers are repeatedly interrupted by demons. She faints as Mephistopheles鈥檚 final curse denies her the hope of salvation. Soldiers return from the war, Valentin among them. He asks Si茅bel to tell him how his sister is, but Si茅bel鈥檚 evasions prompt him angrily to rush into Marguerite鈥檚 house to find out for himself. M茅phistoph茅l猫s and Faust arrive, and the Devil satirically serenades Marguerite. Valentin emerges from the house demanding to know who is responsible for his sister鈥檚 shame. In the ensuing duel, Faust mortally wounds Valentin, who with his final words denies Marguerite any Christian compassion and damns her for eternity.

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ACT V

It is Walpurgis Night and a diabolic ballet ensues. Faust is subjected to visions, the last of which is of Marguerite in prison for the murder of their child and awaiting execution. Faust wants to go to her, and M茅phistoph茅l猫s obliges. Together in the cell, Faust and Marguerite remember their shared moments of love and Faust urges her to flee with him, but she resists, calling for divine protection. Marguerite鈥檚 supplication is answered: her soul ascends to heaven.