Accessibility links
Charles Gounod Charles Gounod artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Charles Gounod

Innocence Exploited: Gounod's 'Faust'

Marguerite (Maureen O'Flynn) confesses that she loves Faust (James Valenti), with no idea that he has sold his soul to the devil. Greg Cable/Opera Carolina hide caption

toggle caption
Greg Cable/Opera Carolina

Concerts

Innocence Exploited: Gounod's 'Faust'

Though it's Faust who sold his soul to the devil, the innocent Marguerite takes the fall in this classic story dating back to the 1400s. Hear the entire opera and follow along with the libretto in this production from Opera Carolina.

Hear Acts One and Two

Listen · 42:16
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/129751569/129754215" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Passion In Provence: Gounod's 'Mireille'

Ramon (baritone Alain Verhnes) is unhappy that his daughter Mireille (soprano Inva Mula) has fallen in love with a man beneath their social status. Agathe Poupeney/Opéra National de Paris hide caption

toggle caption
Agathe Poupeney/Opéra National de Paris

Concerts

Passion In Provence: Gounod's 'Mireille'

Wherein a young Provencal woman falls for a man far below her station, with tragic results.

Hear An Audio Introduction To 'Mireille'

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/125431805/125435959" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Music

The Deal of a Lifetime: Gounod's 'Faust'

The legendary deal with the devil comes to life, as the brilliant soprano Angela Gheorghiu stars as Marguerite in the Vienna State Opera's production of Gounod's Faust, with tenor Roberto Alagna in the title role.

An Audio Introduction to 'Faust'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98732782/98733206" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

From the Top

Wagner, High Notes, and a Ghost in Atlanta

This week, the Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center in Georgia hosts From the Top's young musicians, including the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra performing Wagner, a 17-year-old violinist playing a graceful rag by William Bolcom, and a talented teen tenor singing Gounod. This segment originally aired on May 2, 2007.

Wagner, High Notes, and a Ghost in Atlanta

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18025147/18029588" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Music

Gounod's 'Romeo and Juliet'

Houston Grand Opera presents one of music's greatest rarities — a successful opera based on Shakespeare. It's Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet, in a production starring soprano Ana Maria Martinez and tenor Ramon Vargas in the title roles.

An Audio Intro to 'Romeo and Juliet'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7775863/7802462" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Music Interviews

The Musically Inspiring 'Romeo and Juliet'

Romeo and Juliet's love story has inspired composers throughout the ages. On this Valentine's Day, commentator Miles Hoffman takes NPR's Bob Edwards on a romantic journey through the music influenced by Shakespeare's tragic couple.

The Musically Inspiring 'Romeo and Juliet'

Listen · 7:20
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1161773/1162519" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Browse archive or search npr.org