Lili Boulanger - Faust et Hélène [Score]

Yan Pascal Tortelier, Conductor
Performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Ann Murray, mezzo-soprano
Bonaventura Bottone, tenor
Jason Howard, baritone
Lili Boulanger was the first woman to win the Prix de Rome. She did so with this cantata for mezzo, tenor, baritone, and full orchestra, at the age of 19. Her life was cut short when she died at age 24 of either Tuberculosis or undiagnosed Crohn’s Disease.
Dedicated to her sister and fellow composer Nadia Boulanger, this work reimagines Goethe’s gothic fantasy into a rich sound world. With just three voices, this short opera offers a generous glimpse into the genius of Boulanger’s compositional skill. Boulanger was particularly effective with the tenor part which is both long and challenging. The mezzo is contrastingly slow and not nearly so taxing, only going up to a high G-natural once. The baritone frames the dramatic action.
0:00 - Faust’s sleep is troubled, so Méphistophélès commands a few spirits to change his dreams.
3:50 - Faust wakes up from dreaming of the beauty of Hélène. He demands that she be brought across time and ages to understand what true beauty is.
10:04 - Méphistophélès summons Hélène from beyond the grave.
12:24 - Hélène appears. Faust is captivated by her beauty.
12:54 - Hélène is confused and frustrated that after all the troubles of her earthly life, she has been woken up again.
14:59 - She does not want to hear of Faust’s love, as she remembers the many people who died in her name, and she cannot bear for this to happen again.
18:07 - Faust is insistent and forcibly kisses Hélène. She is filled with a burning desire and suddenly becomes aware she is alive again.
20:13 - Their passion is fierce, but their union is short-lived.
23:15 - Méphistophélès shows them that a huge score of Hélène's fighters, ghostly figures covered in blood who lost their lives for her, have come to take Hélène back to her grave.
24:44 - Hélène begs Faust not to let her go.
25:11 - Faust must let her go, or he will be taken down to hell with Hélène.
27:39 - He is so enthralled by her beauty he cannot remove himself from her embrace.
28:14 - The Ghost of Paris takes Hélène.
28:28 - Faust tries to save her but is struck down by the Ghost.
28:47 - Mephisto curses Faust, as they have tempted God.

[@Maddenhawk]

0:00 - Faust’s sleep is troubled, so Méphistophélès commands a few spirits to change his dreams.
3:50 - Faust wakes up from dreaming of the beauty of Hélène. He demands that she be brought across time and ages to understand what true beauty is.
10:04 - Méphistophélès summons Hélène from beyond the grave.
12:24 - Hélène appears. Faust is captivated by her beauty.
12:54 - Hélène is confused and frustrated that after all the troubles of her earthly life, she has been woken up again.
14:59 - She does not want to hear of Faust’s love, as she remembers the many people who died in her name, and she cannot bear for this to happen again.
18:07 - Faust is insistent and forcibly kisses Hélène. She is filled with a burning desire and suddenly becomes aware she is alive again.
20:13 - Their passion is fierce, but their union is short-lived.
23:15 - Méphistophélès shows them that a huge score of Hélène's fighters, ghostly figures covered in blood who lost their lives for her, have come to take Hélène back to her grave.
24:44 - Hélène begs Faust not to let her go.
25:11 - Faust must let her go, or he will be taken down to hell with Hélène.
27:39 - He is so enthralled by her beauty he cannot remove himself from her embrace.
28:14 - The Ghost of Paris takes Hélène.
28:28 - Faust tries to save her but is struck down by the Ghost.
28:47 - Mephisto curses Faust, as they have tempted God.

[@ethansmusic]

Outstanding! The orchestration is impeccable!🤌🔥

[@brunocoliveira89]

Thank you! Finally the full score!

[@steveegallo3384]

Powerful Moving Virile......Some lady......BRAVA Maestra......from Mexico City!