Devilishly good: Gardner conducts The Damnation of Faust

John Irvin and Christopher Purves with Edward Gardner and the LPO

Karen Cargill, John Irvin and Edward Gardner

By Dominic Lowe, 06 February 2023

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“Christopher Purves... held the stage as classical music’s favourite devil”

Reviewed at Royal Festival Hall, London on 4 February 2023

Berlioz, La Damnation de Faust

Edward Gardner, Conductor

London Philharmonic Orchestra

London Philharmonic Choir

Karen Cargill, Marguerite

John Irvin, Faust

Christopher Purves, Méphistophélès

Jonathan Lemalu, Brander

Members of the London Symphony Chorus

London Youth Choir

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Dominic Lowe

Dominic Lowe recently completed a degree in Classics, and one of his great interests is the reception of Greece and Rome in opera. A regular opera-goer since his very early teens, he is particularly keen on the hidden operatic gems of the 19th century. He is largely based in the South of England.

Devilishly good: Gardner conducts The Damnation of Faust at the Royal Festival Hall