Les Arts returns to the international opera circuit with its new production of ‘Faust’

• Johannes Erath directs this production with 18 tons of scenery, more than 150 pieces of costumes and ten acrobats on stage
• Lorenzo Viotti, one of the most exciting phenomena on the podium in recent years, conducts his first opera in Spain

Valencia (18.09.25). The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía returns to the international opera circuit with its new co-production of Gounod's 'Faust', which kicks off the season in which the building designed by Santiago Calatrava celebrates the 20th anniversary of its inauguration.

The Valencian opera house is leading this co-production together with three of the most important opera venues in Europe: La Scala in Milan, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin and the Teatro Real in Madrid.

Johannes Erath is immersed in rehearsals for this new staging of 'Faust', a true icon of French lyricism, in which Charles Gounod envelops one of the great myths of universal literature in the sumptuousness of 'grand opera', with arias and choruses that are already part of the history of the genre.

The renowned German artist, who has been working on the project since the end of 2024, has designed a production of spectacular dimensions and figures; challenging from a technical and technological point of view, but also artistic with the requirement of ten acrobats on stage.

In total, four trailers were needed to transport the 18-ton 225 m² set designed by Heike Scheele, which includes various mechanized elements. Les Arts also chartered an additional truck for the more than 150 costumes designed by Gesine Völlm.

From a human point of view, 'Faust' requires figures typical of a large production: seven solo singers, 60 members of the Cor de la Generalitat, 74 musicians from the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, ten acrobats and a mime, in addition to 51 professionals from the Les Arts technical team to meet the needs of costumes, characterization, props, audiovisuals, lighting, machinery, mechanics and logistics of Johannes Erath's production.

Lorenzo Viotti takes over the musical direction of 'Faust', the first opera conducted in Spain by the magnetic and media-savvy Swiss conductor, one of the most overwhelming phenomena of recent years, who works with orchestras such as the Berlin, Vienna and La Scala Philharmonic Orchestras, the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, the Staatskapelle of Dresden or the orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

Les Arts has assembled a strong vocal cast for 'Faust', featuring three of the most celebrated performers among Valencian audiences in recent seasons. Ruth Iniesta, making her Valencia debut in the role of Marguerite, marks the latest foray into opera by one of Les Arts' most beloved sopranos, who has captivated audiences in productions such as 'Il viaggio a Reims', 'Pagliacci', 'Don Giovanni', 'Pan y Toros', and 'Doña Francisquita'.

Peruvian tenor Iván Ayón-Rivas, the undisputed winner of the new production of 'L'heure espagnole' and 'Gianni Schicchi' that premiered at Les Arts last May, sings the role of Faust, with which he achieved one of the first successes of his ascending career in his artistic presentation at La Fenice in Venice.

Italian baritone Alex Esposito, a regular in the casts of the main theaters on the circuit, completes the leading trio as Méphistophélès, in a new role in the Main Hall that adds to his previous work such as the debut of the four villain roles in 'Les Contes d'Hoffmann' or Enrico VIII in 'Anna Bolena'.

Ekaterine Buachidze (Siebel), Florian Sempey (Valentin), Bryan Sala (Wagner) of the Center de Perfection de Les Arts, and Gemma Coma-Alabert (Marthe) complete the cast.

Gounod's 'Faust' will be performed on October 3, 5, 8, 11, and 15. Les Arts reminds the public that tickets can be purchased through its various sales channels: box office, phone line 96 197 59 00, and its website .