‘La Damnation de Faust’ at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées

Christian Van Horn takes on another iteration of the world’s most famous villain this November, returning to the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées as Méphistophélès in Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust. 

Van Horn is no stranger to devilish roles. He’s also performed Méphistophélès in Gounod’s Faust to great acclaim, bringing a “sinister debonair charm” (Bachtrack) to the iconic role. At The Metropolitan Opera, he has sung the tempting Nick Shadow in The Rake’s Progress, as well as the title role in Boito’s rarely performed Mefistofele, which led The New York Times to proclaim, “Long may he reign in hell.”

Van Horn joins an extraordinary cast in Silvia Costa’s production, under the baton of Jakob Lehmann. Tenor Benjamin Bernheim sings the title role, with Victoria Karkacheva  as the innocent Marguerite and Thomas Dolié as Brander.

La Damnation de Faust plays November 3, 6, 12, and 15, with a special preview event for patrons under 30 on October 31.  This opera will be broadcast on December 27 as part of “Samedi à l’Opéra,” presented by Judith Chaine. It will then be available to listen to again on France Musique and the Radio France app.