BURLINGTON, VT — It’s miniature musical theater, and opera for the masses! Viva Voce Puppet Opera is pleased to announce that tickets are available once more for its Winter 2006 production: a scaled-down version of Charles Gounod’s Faust.
The original French opera, first staged in Paris in 1859, is based on Goethe’s 1808 German closet drama by the same title. Its all-too-familiar storyline of temptation and redemption has since become part of popular culture: an aged scholar makes a deal with the devil to obtain youth, love and power, but in exchange, he literally signs away his soul. The beloved Marguerite, an unfortunate girl whom Faust seduces with the devil Mephistopheles’ help, faces terrible trials before ascending to heaven. Who's been naughty this year? What happens to Faust? Come see, and hear, at a pre-holiday show!
All of the characters are portrayed by handmade puppets created by Burlington artist Kathleen DeSimone. Vocalists interact with their puppet-role counterparts to sing actual arias from the Gounod opera at strategic plot points — highlights include “The Jewel Song,” sung by soprano Roxanne Vought as Marguerite, and Mephistopheles’ sinister “Laughing Song,” voiced by UVM grad student and bass Guan Jian. A small orchestra provides sound effects and incidental music, and a complement of live actors, voice actors and puppeteers rounds out the company.
The show will take place on Thursday, December 7 at 8 p.m., at Club Metronome, 188 Main Street, Burlington. Please be on time, and please note that Faust may not suitable for small children.
Tickets are $10 each, and may be purchased in advance at The Radio Bean, 8 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington,
