Faust Reimagined

Bernard Uzan talks about how his Arizona Opera production is modernizing a classic.

By Richard Schultz

Faust

Arizona Opera production modernizes a classic

Bernard Uzan admits that his perspective on Faust has changed since he directed the opera for the first time in 1982.

When he helms Arizona Opera's production of Faust, it will be the 14th time he's directed the show.

"It's not the same at 66 years old as it was 30 years ago," Uzan said. "I see life differently. The characters and their relationships I envision differently now. After all, I'm not the same guy."

And the Faust that will be staged in Phoenix and Tucson will reflect some differences, reimagining the story in modern times with an all-star cast, state-of-the-art scenic projections and stark dramatic sets. The production is sung in French with English surtitles.

The opera by Charles Gounod tells the classic tale of a man whose thirst for youthful passion leads him to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for power and earthly pleasure.

The myth is one of the most valued and timeless in the western world, dealing with the basic preoccupations of morality, love and passion.

"I simply want to show that the quest in Faust doesn't belong to a specific time," Uzan said. "Méphistophélès, who represents a devil, belongs to no time. The story belongs to humanity. And the way we're going to do it speaks more to the preoccupations of today."

One of the director's ideas is substituting an urban nightclub for the story's 16th-century village fair.

"There is a heightened sensuality in this production," Uzan said. "While still being true to the original text, we are exploring themes of vulnerability, youth and pleasure. While nothing in production is overt or offensive, the undercurrents of sexuality are evident.

"Faust speaks to the basic human experiences of dealing with getting older, getting scared the end is near and asking yourself what did I do, what did I miss, what still do I still crave and how I am going to deal with that," Uzan said.

In casting, Uzan broke with tradition and cast a performer who brings an androgynous quality to the role of Siébel, who falls in love with Marguerite. The character, often sang by a mezzo-soprano or soprano, is a boy of 17 or 18 with the voice of a girl.

In the choices for casting, costuming and hairstyle, Uzan has left the decision to the audience to determine Siébel's gender. "It's more modern to do so," Uzan said.

Although his work on the production began more than a year and a half ago, Uzan said his directorial concept to evolved during rehearsals. For example, the set uses a backdrop with up to 24 expressions, such as "men hate evil," that will be lit and tied into actions and characters' thoughts. Uzan was still thinking about which words to choose while in rehearsals.

The director said evolution of his process is tied to the cast. "I work with new singers every time, and need to deal with who they are," Uzan said. "I need to utilize their individual characteristics and personalities as the basis to approach each character."

The cast includes bass-baritone Greer Grimsley, as Méphistophélès; tenor Raúl Melo, in his an Arizona Opera debut in the title role; soprano Emily Pulley, as Faust's love interest, Marguerite; and baritone Mark Walters, in his Arizona Opera debut as Valentin.

Uzan said that Faust is an ideal entry point for the opera novice. "The way we are doing this production is a good first experience for someone new to opera," he said. "We have unusually strong visual components with projections and videos, which are not often used in opera, but more commonly seen in theater. The audience will find moments that are striking and disturbing at the same time."

Faust premiered in Paris in 1859 and became popular in the United States after it opening at New York's Metropolitan Opera in 1883. The story served as inspiration for musicals, movies and books, including Damn Yankees, Bedazzled and The Portrait of Dorian Gray.

Uzan, who has directed 368 productions, was general and artistic director of L'Opera de Montreal from 1988 to 2002. A native of France, he is a graduate of the University of Paris, with doctorates in literature, theatrical studies and philosophy. Uzan recently directed Bizet's classic Carmen for Seattle Opera.

The first staging of Faust by Arizona Opera in 21 years, the endeavor is a co-production with Lyric Opera Baltimore and Opera Lyra Ottawa. It will be staged in Baltimore in April. -E

VITAL STATISTICS

Faust
Arizona Opera
Phoenix: Nov. 11-13,
Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St.,
602-266-7464
Tucson: Nov. 19-20,
Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave.,
520-293-4336
Tickets: $25-$155
www.azopera.com