Mind-Blowing Berlioz at the Met
 
Robert LePage’s multimedia version of Berlioz’s “La Damnation de Faust” is the Metropolitan Opera’s most engaging new production in a long time. James Levine’s conducting was thrilling and the opera’s chorus was sublime. Here’s a review that reflects my feelings about the evening pretty well — except that I thought John Relyea’s devil was a complete success. LePage’s upcoming “Ring” cycle for the Met is going to be mind-blowing. The night I attended “Faust,” somebody at intermission, speaking of the video effects, said he felt as if he were at a Madonna concert. I wish that Madonna, who lives across the street from the Met, could see “Faust.” Alas, I think she’s on tour.
