Faust is a grand opera in five acts to a French libretto by Jules Barbier. It was not initially well received at its premiere in Paris in 1859, but it was revived for a new production in 1862 and became a big hit. Faust was chosen by the Metropolitan Opera in New York City to officially open the house in October 1883.
Faust is a grand opera in five acts to a French libretto by Jules Barbier. It was not initially well received at its premiere in Paris in 1859, but it was revived for a new production in 1862 and became a big hit. Faust was chosen by the Metropolitan Opera in New York City to officially open the house in October 1883.
Charles-François Gounod (1818–1893) was a French composer, best known for his Ave Maria. He wrote a total of 12 Grand Operas, including Roméo et Juliette and his most popular opera Faust. Highly respected by his contemporaries, Camille Saint-Saëns played the organ at his funeral, with Gabriel Fauré conducting the orchestra. Born in Paris, the son of a pianist mother and an artist father. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire and later in Rome, where he concentrated his studies on sixteen-century sacred works. He seriously considered becoming a priest, but shortly before taking his holy orders returned his focus back on composition. In 1854 Gounod completed a Messe Solennelle, (St. Cecilia Mass), this work was first performed in its entirety in the church of St. Eustache in Paris on Saint Cecilia's Day 1855; Gounod's fame as a composer dates from that occasion. Between 1870 to 1874 Gounod lived at 17 Morden Road, Blackheath, South East London, where an official blue plaque has been put up. He was the first conductor of what is now called the Royal Choral Society, much of his music from this time is vocal. He also composed the Funeral March of a Marionette, which received a new lease of life in 1955 when it was used as the theme for the television series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Later in his life Gounod returned to his early religious impulses, writing much sacred music. His Marche Pontificale became the official Pontifical Anthem for the Vatican City. He was made a Grand Officer of the Légion d’Honneur in July 1888. Shortly after he had put the finishing touches to a requiem written for his grandson, he died of a stroke in Saint-Cloud, France in 1893.
