Irish National Opera presents Charles Gounod’s Faust at The Gaiety Theatre as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2023
Sunday 1 October – Saturday 7 October 2023
A devilishly good time is in store for opera and literature lovers alike as Irish National Opera’s new production of Gounod’s Faust comes to the Gaiety Theatre. This thrilling new production sees the Irish and European debut of rapidly-rising US tenor Duke Kim, “of the most exciting young tenors” (Washington Post).
Also in the exceptional cast is Cahir-born soprano Jennifer Davis, who rocketed to fame at The Royal Opera, London and returns to INO as Marguerite. “Few things in theatre are more exciting than watching a star being born,” wrote The Telegraph, “and the big-bang roar that greeted Jennifer Davis’s curtain call after her debut as Lohengrin’s beloved Elsa was one such magic moment.”
Award-winning US baritone Nicholas Brownlee makes his INO debut as Méphistophélès. He has been praised by The New Yorker for his “handsome mahogany tone” and by The New York Times as “charismatic and charming”.
Acclaimed director Jack Furness (“brilliant and bold,” The Guardian) directs this powerful new production. The flesh and bones of that power are forcefully presented by Irish Times Irish Theatre Award-winning set and costume designer Francis O’Connor. Irish National Opera Orchestra and Chorus are conducted by INO’s resident conductor Elaine Kelly, who is from Cork. “Elaine Kelly is a discovery, tracing the musical lines with exactitude,” wrote the Los Angeles Times about her West Coast debut earlier this year.
INO’s artistic director Fergus Sheil says “Gounod’s Faust, a leading classic from the 19th-century French repertoire, is a moral tale about the struggle between good and evil. Jack Furness and Francis O’Connor have come up with a powerful vision to convey the chasm between forceful male powerbrokers and the unfortunate woman they have in their sights. The musical power of Gounod’s touching vision is fresh and engaging, with the wonderful Jewel Song and Soldiers’ Chorus having remained audience favourites for over 160 years.”
Gounod’s Faust at the Gaiety Theatre is part of Dublin Theatre Festival, and opens on Sunday 1 October at 5pm, with three further performances at 7pm on Tuesday 3, Thursday 5 and Saturday 7 October 2023.
If you’d like a sneak peek about what to expect during this devilishly good production, make sure to tune into Faust… In Focus on Thursday 28 September at 7pm, a free online introduction to the opera hosted by Michael Lee. Book free tickets here.
