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- Gounod, Charles
Duration: 5 minutes
Description: Charles Gounod (1818-1893) was a prolific French composer in the mid-1800s, but he was not well recognized by his peers or the public until his opera FAUST was first performed in Paris in 1859. The opera remains today as one of the most dramatic and popular in the repertoire. The libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on the two-part play by Goethe, tells the story of the aging philosopher in search of lost youth. Selling his soul to the devil, he is transformed into a young man, but when he falls in love with the virtuous Marguerite, her own soul hangs in the balance. Gounod’s FAUST is a masterpiece of French lyricism, seamlessly blending lush orchestration, soaring melodies, and deep psychological insight. One of the opera’s most vibrant and beloved moments is the Act II, Waltz Chorus: “Ainsi que la brise légère”, in which the townspeople gather in a festive scene outside the city gates. This lighthearted and graceful waltz captures the spirit of a springtime celebration, filled with flirtation and youthful energy. The elegant interplay between chorus and orchestra provides a striking contrast to the darker themes of the opera, showcasing Gounod’s gift for charming melody and vivid scene painting. Often excerpted in concert performances, the waltz remains a quintessential example of 19th-century French operatic style. Instrumentation: 1+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2Cnt.3.0: Timp.Perc(2-3): Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): Soli Sop.MzSop.Ten.Bar: Mx Chor. Reprint edition.