Although better known as Verdi's librettist, Arrigo Boito was a composer in his own right. In his setting of the Faust legend, Mephistopheles wagers with God that he can win the soul of Faust. Boito intended to change the course of conventional Italian opera, which he compared to the "splattered walls of a brothel", but after a disastrous first performance he made many modifications to Mefistofele. The revised version was much more popular and has featured regularly in the repertoire at the Met.

Chorus and Orchestra of the New York Metropolitan Opera, conductor Mark Elder

Prologue and Act 1

7.35 Wonderful Town
Since 1948 the Amato Opera House has survived the lavish New York artistic climate as a proving ground for young artists. Miles Warde talks to Anthony Amato.

8.00 Acts 2 and 3

9.00 The Met Opera Quiz
Thor Eckert Jr puts listeners' questions to John Ardoin, George Jellinek and Patrick Smith.

9.30 Act 4 and Epilogue

Win an opera break in Verona: page 46