Gounod - Faust (Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Jonas Kaufmann, Rene Pape)

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Gounod - Faust (Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Jonas Kaufmann, Rene Pape)

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This is from the MET's HD a couple of years back, with Jonas Kaufmann in the title role, Marina Poplavskaya as Margeurite and Rene Pape as Mephistopheles. The setting is modern, with Dr. Faustus a scientist who is tired of his 'trade' and wishes for an early and easy death, while the Devil comes and signs him up for a new life.
Kaufmann's French is great, but he does not have much of a French 'timber', and this Faust is not as lyrical as others, like Alagna, would have it. To match him, Pape as Mephistopheles is also more stentorian than suavely sly.
As Margeurite's brother Valentin, baritone Russell Braun does not make things overtly memorable, either, if his singing is generally fine.
The great saving aspect of this performance surprisingly comes from Russian soprano Marina Poplavskaya, who identifies herself totally with the role both vocally and dramatically.
Her King Thule ballad, the Jewel Song, her duets with Faust and the last scene are all delivered with great aplomb, and she really looks the part with a stunningly pure looking stage presence.
This production isn't appealing, with a French grand opera being cut to the bare bones, but it could have been much worse. The conducting is fine, and generally speaking on the musical side this is a sterling piece, though there are significant cuts and the Walpurgis Scene is non-existent. By A. F. S. Mui

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Gounod - Faust (Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Jonas Kaufmann, Rene Pape)

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