Post Description

Lombard refuses to think of Faust as a "war-horse". His interpretation is fresh, serious, and sensitive. His attention to detail is without peer. He has obviously lived with the score for some time and understands it. Rather than conducting down to it, he allows it to rise as z phoenix in the bright light of day.He also is willing to be a bit unconventional. As an example, he takes the final trio at a dangerously slow tempo. This puts tremendous pressure on the soprano, who must maintain a legato line or the whole piece will collapse. There are few singers who would be able to meet this challenge. Montserrat Caballe was one of them. Her work here is simply breathtaking. It must be heard to be believed.

Opera in five acts by Charles Gounod
Sung in french.
Recorded in 1976 , Palais de la Musique et des Congrés , Strasbourg.
Sound engineers : Pierre Lavoix and Peter Willemöes

Cast :
Faust : Giacomo Aragall
Marguerite: Montserrat Caballé
Méphistophéles : Paul Plishka
Valentin : Philippe Huttenlocher
Siébel : Anita Terzian
Wagner : Jean Brun
Dame Marthe : Jocelyne Taillon