Charles Gounod's interpretation is the best-known and most frequently performed of any stage or orchestral treatment of the Faust legend. Long a staple of the operatic repertoire, Faust was a major success upon its first fully realized performance at Milan's La Scala in 1862. The opera's lyricism, tremendous variety of mood and orchestral color, and subtle delineation of character continue to delight generations of concertgoers.

Now opera lovers can study and enjoy the complete masterpiece in...