"Faust" Rocks the Brocken - A Rock Opera Review by Robert Steven Mack

From the wildest depths of historic literature, i.e. German literature, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe gave us tales and poetry beyond unreachable imagination. Statesman, scientist, poet/Dichter, simply one the greatest writers of all time, Goethe is considered to have written the greatest works of German literature.

One of these great works is “Faust,” a two-part closet play that has been rewarded with great fame and respect. It is the story of renowned, but dissatisfied scholar. As he grows older and more disillusioned, Faust, greedy for knowledge and power, sells his soul to the devil in exchange for limitless knowledge and wordly pleasures. Goethe finished writing the first part of “Faust” in 1806. It was published two years later and select scenes were performed first in 1819 and in whole in the year 1829. In 1832, the year of his death, he finished part 2. In 1938 both parts were performed for the first time unabridged. (for more information, check out Wikipedia)

During my recent trip to Germany I had the great fortune to be invited to watch the latest edition to Faust media, a “Faust Rock Opera” up at the top of the Brocken deep in the Harz Mountains. My German grandmother and I boarded a well-decorated train that led to the summit. In fact, it was an old-fashioned steam train that had sincerity spelled all over it. Entertainment during the one hour trip was provided by a witchy witch and a devilish devil. For those who are unfamiliar with old Harz legends and folklore, the Brocken is a famed witch hangout. Once we arrived on top the mountain, we entered a snowy cold winter wonderland. With the bewitching wind blowing hard into our faces, we headed to safety in a building that looked the part of Faust – just as the train did too. Welcomed with some refreshments, we headed to the theater which was no more than some chairs set up in two dozen rows.

The rock opera opened with the Devil in hell singing his song of devilish madness. We then got a glimpse of Faust, an old scientist dissatisfied with life. After a failed attempt at suicide and a subsequent walk in the city, he is confronted by the devil, Mephisto. Mephisto tells Faust of a seemingly lucrative deal: Faust will serve the devil in hell in exchange for all the knowledge and worldly goods he could ask for. Although the show was part old-fashioned theater and not all singing, it was filled with powerful music and memorable songs, and topped off by a breathtaking array of lights, and splendid example of how technology is used to bring you a show.

The Rock Opera “Faust” was a well structured play with an intermission. As it is custom for the first half to have a different feel than the second half, the first part established the characters and got the rock opera going. Its role is to build up the tension and gets the attention. The second half after the intermission is slower paced and is mostly a love story. The musicians included a lead guitarist, a piano player, and a drummer who were all cleverly incorporated into the story. Fun exotic numbers filled the show with brilliance and triumph. While the music, lighting, and technological advances alone were a work of art, the actors did extremely well for bringing their characters to life. After the show I was lucky enough to briefly chat and fetch an autograph from Falko P. Illing, the actor who played Mephisto. The Rock Opera “Faust” was extremely well done, and I regret that I will not be able to see Part two.

Copyright 2011 by Robert Steven Mack (all rights reserved!)