Tune into WRTI on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. to hear a recording of the Bavarian State Opera’s 2026 production of Charles Gounod’s Faust. WRTI will carry Gounod’s beloved work as a part of the WFMT opera series.
Loosely based upon Goethe’s novel of the same name, the opera follows the titular Faust, a disillusioned scientist who makes a deal with the demon Méphistophélès. For the price of his soul, Méphistophélès allows Faust to return to his youth. With the help of the demon’s supernatural influences, Faust seduces a young woman named Marguerite, altering her life forever.
This production will feature tenor Jonathan Tetelman as Faust, bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as the demon Méphistophélès, and soprano Olga Kulchynska as Faust’s beloved, Marguerite. Baritone Florian Sempey is Valentin; baritone Thomas Mole is Wagner; mezzo-soprano Emily Sierra is Siebel; and mezzo-soprano Dshamilja Kaiser is Marthe Schwerdtlein. Nathalie Stutzmann conducts the Bavarian State Orchestra & Chorus.
Cast:
Jonathan Tetelman as Faust
Kyle Ketelsen as Méphistophélès
Olga Kulchynska as Marguerite
Florian Sempey as Valentin
Thomas Mole as Wagner
Emily Sierra as Siebel
Dshamilja Kaiser as Marthe Schwerdtlein
Nathalie Stutzmann conducts the Bavarian State Orchestra & Chorus