Once one the most famous and most performed of alloperas (heard every season at Covent Garden between 1863 and 1911), Faust, with music composed by Charles Gounod and libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, is a grand opera in five acts and a monument among French repertory. It debuted at the Théâtre Lyrique on the Boulevard du Temple in Paris on 19 March 1859. The coming performance is a co-production of Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur, Opéra Grand Avignon and Opéra Théâtre de Saint-Étienne directed by Paul-Emile Fourny and set and costumes designed by Poppi Ranchetti. Starry singers including Stefan Pop, Marc Laho, Dimitry Ivashchenko, Tatiana Lisnic, Kimy Mc Laren, Zhengzhong Zhou and Aurhelia Varak will participate in this grand production. Opera Hong Kong Chorus and reputed local artists such as Sammy Chien, Carol Lin and Samantha Chong will also join the performance. Faust will be accompanied by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta Orchestra under the baton of Benjamin Pionnier. About "Faust" The opera delivers a tale of romance, temptation, and the age-old battle between satanic powers and religion. Doctor Faust sells his soul to the devil Mephistopheles in exchange for youth, and is tempted by the innocent but fateful beauty of Marguerite. But there are no winners, when making a pact with the devil – the trade-off has made Faust humiliate the man who adores Marguerite, kill her brother and drive her into madness. The plot originates in one of the great works of European literature and Gounod’s music is enticing throughout with memorable hits.