Faust

Faust was first performed in it’s original 5 Act format on 19th March 1859.  In Fife Opera’s production we see the scenes being reduced/amalgamated in to two acts. The principal singers were all double cast, so the names mentioned below refer to the Friday performance.

From the rise of the curtain we meet Faust (Barry McAleer). Barry’s fine tenor voice engages with the audience – just as it does with Margarita later in the opera.   Margarita (Emma Mocket) charms with her beautiful soprano arias, none more so than in the well-known “Jewel Song”. Mephistopheles, Faust’s tempter, is ably performed by Russell Malcolm who brings out the true devil in the part, continually putting temptation in Faust’s way, until, at the very end he is barred by the cross handle of a shining sword.

The smaller, but no less important parts, of Martha (Margarita’s neighbour), Valentine (Margarita’s brother) and Wagner (a student) were all sung to the same exacting standard by Susan Crosby, Steven Mackie and Peter Saunders respectively.

Probably my favourite character in the opera was that of Siebel (Natalie O’Reilly). Siebel (a youth in love with Margarita) is set as a trouser role. Natalie performs this character part with exceptional skill both in her singing and acting ability. Siebel stays faithful to Margarita throughout the opera, though Margarita does not see this and she in turn remains faithful to Faust – the deceiver.

The chorus of Fife Opera deserve acclaim for the quality of their singing under the baton of Alistair Digges. “The Soldier’s Chorus” – which the audience have to wait until the last few minutes of the opera to hear - being a case in point.

The wide variety of scenes within the two acts, does not make it easy to design sets for. Fife Opera used trucked set pieces designed by John Urquhart, which made for seamless segueing between scenes, and were made full use of by Director, Peter Easson.

Well done Fife Opera for taking on one of the “darker” operas and ensuring a pleasant evening of grand opera was had by all.

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