Celebrating John Relyea's birthday with La Damnation de Faust.
Damnation! John Relyea (upper left) as Méphistophélès in La Damnation de Faust.
Photograph by Ken Howard © 2008 The Metropolitan Opera.
Today is the birthday of bass John Relyea. Happy birthday, Mr. Relyea!
To celebrate, the bass (on his Twitter account @JohnRelyea) linked this YouTube broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD version of La Damnation de Faust filmed at the Met on Nov. 22, 2008. Mr. Relyea takes on the role of Méphistophélès.
This broadcast features Susan Graham hosting and singing Marguerite. Marcello Giordani in the title role. James Levine (remember him?) conducts. And yes, this is the production by Robert Lepage from 2008. The Canadian director's first effort for the Met was in every way a greater success than his Der Ring des Nibelungen.
Enjoy, while it's still up: