Mephistopheles in Gounod's "Faust"

E452539

Mephistopheles in Gounod's "Faust" is the charismatic, diabolical antagonist who tempts Faust and drives the opera’s tragic events with his sinister wit and supernatural power.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Mephistopheles (Gounod's Faust) 0

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf bass-baritone role
fictional demon
opera character
alignment diabolical
appearsIn Faust (opera) NERFINISHED
associatedWith the Devil NERFINISHED
basedOn Mephistopheles (Goethe's Faust) NERFINISHED
causesTragedyFor Marguerite (Gounod's Faust) NERFINISHED
costumeIconography often depicted in dark or red attire
creator Charles Gounod NERFINISHED
dramaticFunction instigator of Faust's bargain
manipulator of human desires
drivesPlotOf Faust (opera) NERFINISHED
famousAria "Le veau d'or" NERFINISHED
famousNumber "Le veau d'or est toujours debout"
serenade "Vous qui faites l'endormie" NERFINISHED
famousScene Kermesse scene
Walpurgis Night NERFINISHED
church scene
firstPerformanceDate 1859-03-19
firstPerformancePlace Théâtre Lyrique, Paris NERFINISHED
influencedBy Goethe's "Faust" NERFINISHED
languageOfWork French
librettist Jules Barbier NERFINISHED
Michel Carré NERFINISHED
makesPactWith Faust (character in Gounod's Faust) NERFINISHED
notableCharacteristic charismatic
cynical wit
seductive charm
supernatural powers
notableInterpreter Boris Christoff NERFINISHED
Feodor Chaliapin NERFINISHED
Nicolai Ghiaurov NERFINISHED
Samuel Ramey NERFINISHED
operaGenre French grand opera
opposes God NERFINISHED
salvation of Marguerite
performanceTradition often breaks the fourth wall
often portrayed with ironic humor
period Romantic era
roleType antagonist
symbolizes corruption
satanic pact
temptation
tempts Faust (character in Gounod's Faust) NERFINISHED
typicalCasting mature male singer
vocalRange bass
bass-baritone

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Feodor Chaliapin notableRole Mephistopheles in Gounod's "Faust"