Mefistofeles´ temptation of Faust begins at the State Opera

The only completed opera by the Italian composer and Verdi´s contemporary Arrigo Boito, brings world renown musical personalities to Prague. Mefistofele at the State Opera is a meeting of the sought by Italian conductor Marco Guidarini and bassist Stefan Kocan in the title role. And not just them. Among the soloists are Raúl Gabriel Iriarte, Peter Mikulas, Eva Urbanova, Christina Vasileva or Alžběta Poláčková. Also the State Opera Choir and the Boys' Choir Pueri gaudentes have a vital role in the production. Directed by Ivan Krejci Mefistofele will premiere at the State Opera 22nd and 24th January 2015.

"Mefistofele deals with the most fundamental philosophical issues, questions of desire for eternal youth, undying beauty, boundless knowledge. And increasingly also the modern man is now turning to such questions," says conductor Marco Guidarini who musically prepared the piece. "This opera unveils the truth about ourselves. Faust and Mefistofele represent the metaphor of these desires, fears, illusions and hopes. Listening to Mefistofele is thus a means to participating in a unique expedition of discovery," says Guidarini. He has had a number of musical directions, among others, he conducted at the Metropolitan Opera in New York or Milan's La Scala. His conducting beginnings are associated with the position of assistant to Sir John Eliot Gardiner at the National Opera in Lyon. From 2001 to 2009 he was principal conductor of the Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra in Nice, France.