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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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Afternoon Concert

Music: Classical

Unique performances with BBC Orchestras, Choirs and other great orchestras

Unique performances with BBC Orchestras, Choirs and other great orchestras from around the world

Afternoon on 3: Thursday Opera Matinee

Afternoon Concert: Thursday Opera Matinee: Episode 3: Gounod: Faust

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Music: Classical: Opera

Gounod: Faust

Episode 3

Episode 3: Gounod: Faust

BBC Radio 3 - Afternoon Concert

Louise Fryer presents Chicago Lyric Opera's production of Gounod's opera Faust.

Louise Fryer presents Chicago Lyric Opera's production of Gounod's Faust. Andrew Davis conducts a cast of leading soloists in this tragic tale of a man who sells his soul.

Gounod's Faust from Chicago.

Faust remains Charles Gounod's best-known work, and although it took some time to achieve renown, it has become one of the most frequently staged operas in the repertory. Based on a libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carre, the drama unfolds over five acts, in which Faust sells his soul to Mephistopheles in exchange for a renewal of his youth and passion - a pact that has tragic consequences for him and for the young girl, Marguerite, with whom he falls in love. First staged at the Paris Theatre Lyrique on 19th March 1859, it's very different to the other operas being written at the time. After hearing the work, Saint-Saens described it as "simplicity which attains to the highest consummation of art."

For Lyric Opera Chicago's production of this masterpiece, the company's chorus and orchestra are joined by a stellar line-up of soloists, under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis. Presented by Louise Fryer

Faust......Piotr Beczala, tenor
Marguerite......Ana Maria Martinez, soprano 
Mephistopheles......Rene Pape, bass
Valentin......Lucas Meachem, baritone 
Siebel......Katherine Lerner, soprano
Marthe......Jane Bunnell, soprano
Wagner......Corey Crider, baritone 
Lyric Opera Chorus and Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis, conductor.

Afternoon Concert: Thursday Opera Matinee

Thursday Opera Matinee

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Series of fifteen operas recently recorded at some of world's greatest opera houses

Series of operas performed at venues around the world. Singers such as Bryn Terfel, Anna Netrebko, Simon Keenlyside and Joyce DiDonato perform under conductors including Seiji Ozawa and Simon Rattle

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