Dutoit leads The Damnation of Faust with the Boston Symphony

By Kevin Wells, 31 October 2017

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“Dutoit created a sound world of expansive latitude and translucent textures”

Reviewed at Symphony Hall, Boston on 26 October 2017

Berlioz, La Damnation de Faust

Charles Dutoit, Conductor

Paul Groves, Faust

John Relyea, Méphistophélès

Susan Graham, Marguerite

David Kravitz, Brander

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Tanglewood Festival Chorus

James Burton, Choirmaster / chorus director

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Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells was bitten by the opera bug at 10, having heard a 1936 recording of Jussi Björling singing “Che gelida manina”. He has never been the same since. A student of voice, performance practice, the history of singing and opera, he holds advanced degrees in Italian and has lived and worked in Italy off and on since the 70s. La Scala became a second home as the Met had been during college daze. Now in his native Boston, he works as translator, tutor, and language coach, haunts Symphony Hall, and would haunt the Opera House had it not been demolished in 1958!

Hell and Damnation: Dutoit leads The Damnation of Faust with the Boston Symphony