H. Berlioz: LA DAMNATION DE FAUST
Sophie Koch, mezzo-soprano / Marguerite
Celso Albelo, tenor / Faust
John Relyea, bass-baritone / Méphistophélès
Ashley Riches, baritone / Brander
CHARLES DUTOIT, conductor
Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir
Ave Chamber Choir
Megaron Chamber Choir
Glasbena matica Youth Choir
In the first half of the 19th century operas were all the rage among the people of Paris, but the Frenchman Hector Berlioz, with his unique views on instrumental music, was considered an eccentric – and at the same time a visionary who was a role-model for future generations of composers. A greatly expanded orchestra, a specific focus on instruments that other composers paid little attention to, and expanding the scope of existing forms – all this characterises his La damnation de Faust, an extensive vocal-instrumental work about the price of the human soul, based on the play by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The famous march, gentle love songs, ecstatic hymns and drinking songs will be performed by the combined voices of the best Slovenian choirs and the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of one of the most esteemed and admired conductors, Charles Dutoit. The role of the innocent Marguerite will be performed by the renowned French mezzosoprano Sophie Koch, the ambitious Faust will be played by Celso Albelo, one of the best tenors of his generation, the role of the tempting Mephisto will be performed by the charismatic Canadian bass-baritone John Relyea, while the student Brander will be played by the British baritone Ashley Riches.