Faust

Charles Gounod (1818-1893) was not immediate successful as an operatic composer although he regained great successes as a composer of church music and as an organist soon after graduating at the Paris Conservatory. With 'Faust' (1859) his reputation as an operatic composer was also settled.
'Faust' is based on the novel 'Faust und Margarethe' by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.It's the story of the old Dr. Faust who once again wants to be young and feel the passion of love. He concluded a pact with the devil - Méphistophélès - that helps him to seduce the beautiful Marguerite. In 1869 a ballet had to be inserted (into the first scene of the final act) before the work could be played at the 'Opéra' in Paris and since then it became the most frequently performed opera at that house. The ballet music on its own became also very popular and conquered a position in the concert repertoire. Dutch arranger Andre Bodin transcribed this ballet music for Symphonic Band.