Faust: Character Map
Faust: Roles
| Faust | a philosopher and metaphysician | tenor |
| Méphistophélès | a familiar spirit of Hell | bass-baritone |
| Marguerite | a young maiden | soprano |
| Valentin | a soldier, Marguerite’s brother | baritone |
| Wagner | friend of Valentin | baritone |
| Siébel | a youth in love with Marguerite | mezzo-soprano |
| Marthe Schwerlein | Marguerite’s guardian | mezzo-soprano |
- Native title: Faust
- Composers: Charles Gounod
- Librettist: Jules Barbier, Michel Carré
- Based on: Faust et Marguerite by Michel Carré
- Language: French
- Premiere: March 19, 1859, Théâtre Lyrique, Paris
- Running time: 3 hours (Act 1: 30 minutes, Act 2: 30 minutes, Act 3: 50 minutes, Act 4: 40 minutes, Act 5: 30 minutes)
Faust: Short Synopsis
Faust, an aging scholar, regrets that he has wasted his life. Méphistophélès appears before him and offers him a contract. The contract is that Faust will receive youth, and Méphistophélès will receive his soul. Méphistophélès shows Faust troubled, a vision of the beautiful Marguerite. The old Faust decides to make the contract and becomes young.
Faust and Méphistophélès visit Marguerite’s home. Faust is impressed by her purity of life. (“Salut, demeure chaste et pure”) Méphistophélès leaves a jewelry box on the doorstep, and they depart. Marguerite finds the jewelry box. Marguerite accepts Faust’s love.
Faust leaves Marguerite and Marguerite gives birth to his child. When Marguerite’s brother Valentin returns from the army, he is surprised by the situation. Faust and Valentin duel. Before he dies, Valentin says a few angry words to Marguerite and dies.
Méphistophélès and Faust are playing with the witches. (Walpurgis Night) Faust comes to his senses and looks for Marguerite. She is in prison for the murder of her child. Faust tries to help her, but she refuses. Her soul goes to heaven.