A star-studded new production of one of the most popular of French operas, live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
Gounod's seductive music perfectly captures the magic and menace of this classic tale, as Faust is manipulated by the devilish Mephistopheles into bartering his soul in exchange for all the pleasures of the world, including the love of the beautiful Marguerite.
Presented by Stephanie Hughes.
Royal Opera Chorus and Orchestra, conductor Antonio Pappano Acts 1,2 and 3

7.55 Interval: Opera Box
Stephanie Hughes looks at the history of Goethe's masterpiece and its various operatic transformations. And in Fortunes of Faust, Richard Langham-Smith explores the reputation of Gounod's version, which has been lauded and criticised right from its first performance.

8.25 Acts 4 and 5 A delayed relay of tonight's performance of Faust can be seen on BBC2, beginning at 6.30pm
Bryn Terfel - face of the week: page 57