Gounod’s grand opera brings to the stage the tragic story of Faust, who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for youth and love, at a devastating moral and spiritual price. Stefano Poda’s celebrated production, dominated by a giant ring that shapes the stage space and creates an abstract, mesmerizing, breathtaking visual world, returns to our stage.
A co-production between Teatro Regio Torino, Opéra de Lausanne and the Israeli Opera
Faust has spent a lifetime in the study of philosophy. Disillusioned, he resolves to poison himself. He curses God and calls for the devil. Mephistopheles obligingly appears. He offers Faust riches, power, or glory but Faust wants only youth and women. Mephistopheles agrees: on earth Faust will be his master, but in the world below roles will be reserved. When Faust hesitates, Mephistopheles conjures up a vision of Marguerite. Faust signs the contract and is transformed.
A fair is in town and the citizens are on holiday. Valentin is concerned about leaving Marguerite, his sister, alone. Wagner starts a song to cheer them up but is interrupted by Mephistopheles, who sings a wilder one. Mephistopheles tells fortunes: Wagner, it seems, will be killed in his first battle, any flowers that Siebel picks will wither, and Valentin will meet his death at the hands of someone close to him. Disgusted by the wine on offer, Mephistopheles conjures up a better vintage to toast Marguerite. The soldiers cross themselves, convinced that they are in the presence of the devil. Mephistopheles leads Faust to a place where couples are waltzing. Faust sees Marguerite and offers her his arm. She refuses, but so charmingly that he is left more entranced than before.
Siebel is gathering flowers for Marguerite and, as prophesied, they wither.
Mephistopheles and Faust have been watching. The atmosphere of innocence surrounding Marguerite’s home moves Faust. He is conscious of his will to ruin her. Marguerite, unable to sleep and obsessed with the young man, sees the jewel box left for her by Mephistopheles. When she tries them on, she sees a different woman in the mirror and she is further confused by the encouragement of her neighbour, Marthe. Faust and Mephistopheles appear. Mephistopheles flirts with Marthe, leaving the scene clear for Faust to seduce Marguerite. She begins to weaken. After the first kiss, she panics and rushes into the house. Mephistopheles summons up all the intoxicating odours from the night flowers. The incense has it effect on Marguerite, who confesses to the night that she loves Faust. Taking his cue, Faust calls out her name and this time, she surrenders. Mephistopheles now has a grip on both their souls.
Seduced and abandoned, Marguerite is carrying Faust’s child. Siebel promises to care for her. Marguerite, still in love with Faust, prays for him and their unborn child. The soldiers return with Valentin. Siebel tries to stop him entering the house. Suspecting the worst, Valentin pushes him aside and goes to see for himself. It is now dark and Mephistopheles serenades Marguerite on behalf of Faust. Valentin races out of the house and demands revenge on his sister’s seducer. He and Faust fight and, with a little help from Mephistopheles, Valentin is fatally wounded. Marguerite watches her brother die and hears him curse her with his dying breath. Distraught, she goes to church to pray for forgiveness. As she hears the voice of Mephistopheles telling her that she is damned, Marguerite collapses in terror.
After her child died and her sanity was lost, Marguerite has been locked away. Assisted unwillingly by Mephistopheles, Faust has broken in to save her. She seems to recognize him. Faust is overwhelmed with pity. Marguerite panics at the sight of the devil, sees the blood on Faust’s hands and, with a frantic appeal to Heaven, she dies. Mephistopheles damns her but angelic voices proclaim that she is saved.
Faust
Faust
Marguerite
Marguerite
Mephistopheles
Mephistopheles
Valentin
Valentin
Siebel
Siebel
Want to know more about the opera you’re going to see? Want to discover the secrets behind the scenes? Want to meet the artists after the performance? The Israeli Opera allows you to enhance your operatic experience with a variety of events before and after the performance.
An hour before each opera performance begins, a 30-minute introductory lecture is held in the auditorium. The lecture, given by representatives of the opera team, sometimes focuses on the opera and its historical background, sometimes on the musical aspects of the work, sometimes on the production itself, and allows viewers to receive additional information in preparation for watching the opera a short time before the performance begins.
The lecture begins one hour before the start of each opera performance.
Lecture length: 30 minutes.
Admission is free for opera ticket holders that day.
A pre-show lecture will be held about an hour before each show begins.
The performance is over. It’s already late. And yet the experience was exciting, challenging, moving. It’s time to meet some of the participants in an informal gathering. Come listen and share. Come ask questions. Come get to know the soloists up close. An extraordinary opportunity to get closer to the artists who just thrilled you on stage.
An Opera Talkback takes place at the end of the performance on the second level of the Opera House’s foyer.
Talkback duration: about half an hour.
The talkbacks take place several times during each production. Admission is free.
The talkbacks will take place immediately after the show on the following dates:
A unique experience: Being part of the preparations for curtain rise.
You know how there are moments that are just the right time? The hour and a half before the curtain rises is exactly that moment – when the house awakens to life, when the artists prepare, and when the stage transforms from an empty space into a world of magic.
Our special tour invites you to be part of this magical moment. You’ll see the house at its most vibrant – when the technicians do their final checks, when the lighting prepares to tell the story, when the production truly comes to life. This isn’t just a visit – it’s a glimpse into the living process of creating opera.
You’ll discover the hidden spaces of the house, meet the people behind the magic, and understand how every small detail becomes part of the grand creation. At the end of the tour, you’ll enter the auditorium already knowing the story of the place and ready to experience the performance in a completely new way.
A unique experience: Being part of the preparations for curtain rise.
Tour duration: 45 minutes of pure magic.
Timing: An hour and a quarter before the performance begins.
Advance ticket purchase required, limited tickets available at this Link
Seeing how magic is born is almost as beautiful as the magic itself
February 2027
