CHARLES GOUNOD (1818-1893) was a prolific French composer in the mid 1800' s, but he was not well recognized by his peers or the public until his opera FAUST was first performed in Paris in 1859. The opera remains today as one of the most dramatic and popular in the repertoire. The libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carre, based on the two-part play by Goethe, tells the story of the aging philosopher in search of lost youth. Selling his soul to the devil, he is transformed into a young man, but when he falls in love with the virtuous Marguerite, her own soul hangs in the balance. It premiered at the Theatre Lyrique on March 19, 1859. The Act 5 ballet depicts a riotous and carnal celebration that takes place on Walpurgis Night. Instrumentation: 2 (2nd d. Picc).2.2.2: 4.2+2Crnt.3.1: Timp. Perc (3-4): Hp: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set). Reprint edition.