About the book

"Faust: A Lyric Drama in Five Acts" by Gounod, Barbier, and Carré is a grand opera composed in 1859. An aging scholar, despairing over a life wasted on fruitless studies, strikes a fateful bargain with the demonic Méphistophélès. Transformed into a handsome young man, Faust pursues the virtuous Marguerite, setting in motion a tragic tale of temptation, love, and damnation. Based on Goethe's legendary story, this five-act opera became one of the most frequently performed works in operatic history.

Operas

Faust, -approximately 1540

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #45806. Faust on Wikipedia.