London Philharmonic Orchestra – Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust (CD)

Hot on the heels of Principal Conductor Edward Gardner’s triumph at the 2023 Gramophone Awards where Tippett’s The Midsummer Marriage (LPO-0124) won the Opera Award, comes Gardner’s second release on the LPO Label – Berlioz’s spectacular The Damnation of Faust. Audiences have been captivated by Gardner’s artistry, all ears are poised for this anticipated follow-up release. Half grand opera, half roof-raising choral-orchestral spectacular, Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust caused a scandal in 1846 when it was first performed, and with it’s supernatural story and thumping good melodies, it’s still one of 19th-century music’s most rivetingly sinful treats. Recorded live at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on 4 February 2023 with three-massed choruses and all-start cast, this release captures the drama of the opera. The performance and recording of The Damnation of Faust took place 4 February 4, 2023 and features an outstanding cast: Karen Cargill as Marguerite; John Irvin as Faust; Christopher Purves as Mephistopheles; and Jonathan Lemalu as Brander. Joining them is the London Philharmonic Choir, members of the London Symphony Chorus, and the London Youth Choirs.

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 1: ‘Le Vieil Hiver’
2. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scenes 2
3. 3: Ronde de Paysans ‘Les Bergers Laissent… Mais D’un Éclat Guerrier’
4. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 3: Marche Hongroise (Hungarian March)
5. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 4: ‘Sans Regrets J’ai Quitté Les Riantes Campagnes’
6. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: Chant de la Fête de Pques ‘Christ Vient de Ressusciter!’
7. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: ‘Hélas! Doux Chants Du Ciel’
8. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 5: ‘Ô Pure Émotion!’
9. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 6: ‘À Boire Encor!’
10. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: Chanson de Brander ‘Certain Rat, Dans Une Cuisine’
11. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: Fugue. ‘Amen’
12. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: ‘Vrai Dieu! Messieurs’
13. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: Chanson de Méphistophélès ‘Une Puce Gentille’
14. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: ‘Assez! Fuyons Ces Lieux’
15. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 7: Air de Méphistophélès ‘Voici Des Roses’
16. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: Choeur de Gnomes Et de Sylphes – Songe de Faust ‘Dors! Heureux Faust’
17. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: Ballet Des Sylphes
18. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: ‘Margarita!’
19. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 8: Final ‘Villes Entourées’ – Chanson D’étudiants. ‘Jam Nox Stellata’
20. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 9: Prélude
21. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: Air de Faust ‘Merci, Doux Crépuscule’
22. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 10: ‘Je L’entends’
23. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 11: ‘Que L’air Est Étouffant!’
24. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: Le Roi de Thulé ‘Autrefois Un Roi de Thulé’
25. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 12: Evocation ‘Esprits Des Flammes Inconstantes’
26. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: Menuet Des Follets (Minuet of the Will-O’-The-Wisps)
27. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: ‘Maintenant, Chantons À Cette Belle’ – Sérénade de Méphistophélès ‘Devant la Maison’
28. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 13: Final ‘Grand Dieu!… Ange Adoré’
29. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 14: ‘Allons, Il Est Trop Tard!… Je Connais Donc Enfin’
30. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 15: Romance ‘D’amour L’ardente Flamme’
31. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: ‘Au Son Des Trompettes’
32. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 16: Invocation À la Nature ‘Nature Immense’
33. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 17: Récitatif Et Chasse. ‘À la Voûte Azurée’
34. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 18: La Course À L’abîme ‘Dans Mon Coeur Retentit Sa Voix’
35. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 19: Pandæmonium. ‘Has! Irimiru Karabrao!… Tradioun Marexil’
36. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111: Epilogue ‘Alors, L’enfer Se Tut’
37. Berlioz: The Damnation of Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Scene 20: Dans Le Ciel ‘Laus! Hosanna!’ – Apothéose de Marguerite ‘Remonte Au Ciel, me Naïve’