Act I

Seated in his study, the scholar Faust complains that all his learning has brought him nothing. He is about to take a cup of poison when he hears youthful voices outside his studio praising the Lord. In desperation, Faust calls on the Devil for help and much to his surprise, Méphistophélès appears, clothed in the guise of a gentleman. At first, Faust turns from him but when Méphistophélès offers him whatever he wants, Faust cries out that he desires youth. Méphistophélès accomplishes the magic by showing the old man a vision of the maiden, Marguerite, and almost at once the philosopher is eager to sign the contract. On earth, Méphistophélès will serve him in everything. But below, the Devil shall be the master. There is a quick signature and Faust is changed into a young man in elegant costume. They both run off in search of adventure and love.

At a village fair, soldiers, students, and villagers sing the praises of wine and beer. Valentin, Marguerite’s brother, is in a more serious mood. He is about to go off to war and is concerned about who will take care of his sister. Wagner, a student, takes up a song about a rat but is interrupted by Méphistophélès, who offers to sing a better song. He sings about the Calf of Gold and the crowd, unaware that he is the Devil, joins him in the chorus. Méphistophélès magically produces some excellent wine (much better, he says, than the local stuff) and proposes a toast to Marguerite. Valentin is angered at having his sister’s name bandied about and challenges the stranger. But just as he is about to attack, Méphistophélès points at him and Valentin’s sword breaks in half, revealing to everyone Méphistophélès’s true identity. Led by Valentin, they reverse their swords, making the sign of the cross with their hilts, and advance on the Devil, who grovels on the ground.

Faust enters and demands to meet Marguerite. The villagers take up a waltz and suddenly Marguerite appears, a vision of loveliness. Faust offers her his arm; she very politely declines, while the waltz resumes and Faust, helplessly smitten, voices his love for the maiden.

Act II

That same evening in Marguerite’s garden, the youth, Siebel, brings a bouquet of flowers for his beloved Marguerite and places them where she cannot fail to see them. After he has left, Faust enters and sings of the enchanting simplicity of his beloved’s dwelling. Méphistophélès enters and leaves a casket of jewels beside Siebel’s flowers. When the two men retire, Marguerite enters musing about the young man who had spoken to her earlier that day. She then discovers Siebel’s flowers and immediately after, the casket of jewels. She is stunned, decking herself with the priceless finery.

Marguerite is joined by her gossipy old neighbor, Marthe Schwerlein, followed by Faust and Méphistophélès. While the latter flirts mockingly with the gullible Marthe, Faust and Marguerite get to know each other better. Twilight descends and Méphistophélès intones his Invocation to Night, wishing grief to the innocent maiden. Marguerite and Faust are left alone in the garden to resume their passionate protestations. She superstitiously plucks a daisy singing, “He loves me, he loves me not”. She then protests that it is getting late while telling him that she loves him so much she could die for him. At last, Faust consents to leave and return the next day. But the Devil stops him and points to Marguerite’s window, where she ecstatically sings and beckons her new love to come back to her there and now. Faust runs to her and they passionately embrace, while Méphistophélès chortles diabolically, his aim now accomplished.

Act III

Marguerite, pregnant with Faust’s child, prays in a church, despite believing that her sin will never be forgiven. Her prayer is interrupted by the Devil, who mockingly reminds her of the days of her innocence. A chorus of demons punctuates Méphistophélès’ utterances with cries of “Marguerite!” A holy service is taking place in another location of the church. As the monks intone their solemn chant, Marguerite’s voice soars above it, wildly imploring forgiveness from above. Méphistophélès hurls his last anathema on the poor girl, “Marguerite, be thou cursed!” She utters a pitiful cry and faints helplessly.

Outside Marguerite’s house, the soldiers pour into the square, home from the wars. Among them is Valentin, Marguerite’s brother, who invites Siebel into the house. Siebel tries to dissuade him from entering, to keep Valentin from discovering Marguerite’s transgression. Suspicious, Valentin goes inside and presently hears a mocking serenade being sung outside by Méphistophélès, who is accompanied by Faust. Valentin grasps the meaning of the song and realizes what has happened while he was away at war, and challenges Faust to a duel. The Devil whispers to Faust, “You do the thrusting, I will parry”. Consequently, Valentin is mortally stabbed. As the villagers gather, Faust is taken off by Méphistophélès. Valentin painfully lifts himself up to his knees and bitterly curses his sister with his dying breath, to the horror of all present.

Act IV

It is Walpurgis Night, the Witches’ Sabbath. Méphistophélès brings his protege to this festival, conjuring up for him queens and courtesans of antiquity. Voluptuous dances are performed for Faust’s delectation, drinks are poured, and Faust eagerly partakes of the libations. Suddenly, he sees a vision of Marguerite, a red line about her neck, horrifying Faust and filling him with remorse. He asks Méphistophélès to immediately take him to her.

Marguerite is losing her mind; her baby has died of neglect. She is imprisoned, to be executed that very morning for the murder of her child. Méphistophélès and Faust break into the prison and while Méphistophélès goes off to fetch horses for their escape, Faust awakens the sleeping Marguerite. As they sing of their love for each other, Marguerite’s mind starts to wander. She thinks she is again at the fair where they first met, and in the garden where they had such sweet loving moments together. Suddenly, Méphistophélès appears saying that the horses are saddled and ready; they must hurry. But Marguerite recognizes the Devil at last. Sinking to her knees, she intones her prayer; louder and higher it gets, until exhausted, she falls dead. The Devil pronounces her damned, but a choir of angels brings the final sound of salvation.


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