
audiobook
by Charles Gounod, Jules Barbier, Michel Carré
GRAND OPERALIBRETTOS
An elegant five‑act lyric drama set to Charles Gounod’s soaring melodies, this opera weaves a timeless tale of longing, temptation, and fragile love. The libretto, drawn from Goethe’s celebrated version, focuses on the tender romance that has become the heart of the story, allowing the music to linger on intimate emotions as much as on grand supernatural scenes.
In the opening act, the weary scholar Faust stands on the brink of despair, ready to end his life after a lifetime of fruitless pursuits. A chorus of joyful maidens and the humble chants of reapers halt his fatal resolve, stirring a sudden fury that summons the devilish Mephistopheles. The demonic broker offers wealth and power, yet Faust’s true desire is the renewal of youth and the fleeting pleasures it promises, setting the stage for a pact that will reshape his destiny.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (100K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Colin Bell, Paul Marshall, Joseph Cooper and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
May 28, 2014
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1818–1893
Best known for the opera Faust, this French Romantic composer also gave the world the beloved "Ave Maria" built over a prelude by J. S. Bach. His music moves easily between the stage, the church, and the salon, with a gift for melody that kept it alive long after his lifetime.
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1825–1901
A French poet, playwright, and librettist, he helped shape some of the most famous operas of the 19th century. His words gave dramatic life to works such as Faust, Roméo et Juliette, and Les Contes d'Hoffmann.
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1819–1872
A prolific French librettist, he helped shape some of the best-known operas of the 19th century. His gift for turning drama into singable, theatrical stories made him an important partner for composers such as Charles Gounod and Georges Bizet.
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