Last performed in 2006
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Synopsis
Prologue—In the heavens
Heavenly choirs sing the praises of God. Mefistofele, a fallen angel, appears and complains about man and his preoccupation with reason. The mystical chorus asks Mefistofele if Faust is known to him. Mefistofele purposes to tempt the strange old man into sin and eternal perdition. When the heavenly choirs once again sing the praises of God, Mefistofele finds the angels so annoying that he disappears as the music builds to a grand climax.
Act I, Scene 1—In the town square, Easter Sunday
The townspeople enjoy the festival of spring. Mefistofele is present, disguised as a grey friar. A procession of soldiers, clerics, and nobles crosses the square. Faust and Wagner, his student, walk among them. As twilight falls, the people return to their homes, and Faust notices the strange grey friar. Faust then makes his way home, followed by Mefistofele.
Act I, Scene 2—In Faust's study, the pact
Faust enters his study, followed by Mefistofele. Still disguised as the grey friar, Mefistofele hides in the alcove. Faust sings of the peace in his heart. When he turns to read the Bible, Mefistofele howls in the alcove. Then he drops the grey friar's garment to reveal himself dressed as a gentleman. He tells Faust that he is the spirit that denies everything. He offers himself as a slave to Faust on earth if Faust will agree that after death the roles be reversed. Faust, searching for ultimate beauty, states that if he could once say to the fleeting moment, "Stay, thou are lovely," he would gladly die and let Hell swallow him up. The bargain is struck, and they prepare to fly away on Mefistofele's coat.
Act II, Scene 1—In the Garden
Faust has been restored to youth and has taken the name Enrico. He woos Margherita while Mefistofele keeps Marta, Margherita's companion, occupied. Faust gives Margherita a sleeping potion for her mother, and they promise to meet later.
Act II, Scene 2—The witches' Sabbath
Faust, having been tempted by the fascination of earthly love, is brought by Mefistofele to see the revels of evil. They arrive on the wild mountaintop amid the flashes of "will-o'-the-wisp." Soon the witches and warlocks come to acclaim Mefistofele, their king. An orb representing the world is presented to him. He sings of the vileness of man and laughs as he thinks of all he hides from mankind. He hurls the orb to the ground, smashing it to pieces. Faust then sees a vision of Margherita bound in chains and bearing the mark of the executioner's ax on her neck. Believing her to be in danger, Faust insists that they rescue her. As they depart, the witches and warlocks exult in the celebration of their Sabbath.
Act III—In the prison
Margherita's mother has been poisoned by the supposed sleeping potion, and in her madness, Margherita has drowned the baby she has borne to Faust. Thus, she awaits execution. Faust comes to rescue her, and they sing of going far away. When Margherita sees Mefistofele, she recoils in horror and drops to her knees, praying for salvation. As she falls dead, a heavenly choir proclaims her redeemed.
Epilogue—In Faust's study and the heavens
Years have passed, and Faust is once again an old man, yet that fleeting moment of beauty has never come. Mefistofele exults that the battle is almost over and that Faust is under his power. As he nears death, however, Faust turns his thoughts to holier things. He sees a vision of a celestial city and hears the heavenly choir singing. Mefistofele tries to tempt him by conjuring visions of beautiful sirens and by whistling loudly, but to no avail. As the heavenly choir sings, Faust cries, "Stay, thou art lovely!" and drops to his knees in prayer. Faust dies, and Mefistofele returns to Hell, shaking his fist in the face of the heavenly host and God Himself.