Gounod’s Faust from La Scala streams free and live on LaScalaTv this Sunday

La Scala in Milan revives Charles Gounod’s opera Faust with a new staging that will be accessible to a global audience through a live, free broadcast on LaScalaTv this Sunday, 8 November. The broadcast begins at 19:30 local time and will remain available on demand until 15 November, marking a rare opportunity to experience this work as it has not been performed at La Scala since 2010.

This production, conducted by Daniele Rustioni, introduces audiences to a distinctive vision under the direction of Johannes Erath, who makes his debut at the historic house. Erath situates the narrative within an imaginative circus environment, offering a novel interpretation of the classic tale drawn from Goethe’s Faust, emphasizing the romantic dimensions of the story, particularly through the character of Marguerite.

The principal cast includes Vittorio Grigolo as Faust, Marina Rebeka portraying Marguerite, and Alex Esposito in the role of Méphistophélès. Supporting roles feature Marcela Rahal as Siébel and Ernesto Petti as Valentin, with the latter marking his first major engagement at La Scala. Petti, a 40-year-old baritone from Salerno, expresses a deep connection to Valentin’s character, highlighting the role’s embodiment of faith, honour, and familial devotion. He describes Valentin as a moral compass within the opera, whose steadfast values ultimately confront tragedy and human vulnerability.

The production’s visual aspects are crafted by a team of creative specialists: Heike Scheele designed the sets, Gesine Völlm provided costumes, Fabio Antoci managed lighting, and Bibi Abel contributed video elements. These artistic elements collaborate with the Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro alla Scala to bring this reinterpretation to life.

Notably, this staging of Faust is a co-production with several major European opera houses, including the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin, and Teatro Real in Madrid. This partnership underscores the work’s continuing relevance and appeal across diverse cultural contexts.

The online streaming is presented via LaScalaTv, the theatre’s digital platform, which has been accessible free of charge since early September thanks to sponsorship support from Intesa Sanpaolo. Viewers are required to register on the platform to gain access to the live and on-demand performances.

This initiative reflects La Scala’s commitment to expanding access to opera beyond the physical theatre, using digital technology to reach broader audiences. With Faust’s return after more than a decade, and the fresh creative approach adopted by the production team, the broadcast offers both opera aficionados and new listeners an innovative encounter with a cornerstone of the French operatic repertoire.

Graham Spicer, known as Gramilano, an established writer and critic based in Milan, reported these details, emphasizing the importance of this revival and its digital availability. Spicer’s background in opera and dance journalism lends authority to the coverage of this significant cultural event.

While specifics about audience reception and further performances remain limited at this time, the production’s blend of traditional and contemporary artistic elements, along with its availability online, positions it as a noteworthy moment in the current operatic landscape.