The action takes place in the Middle Ages, in Hungary and Germany. Overwhelmed by his distaste for life, Faust ends his days by taking poison. Easter songs lift him out of his despair by bringing back his childhood faith, but this mystical fervour leads to the sudden appearance of the devil, Méphistophélès, who promises him all the pleasures of life and takes him to a tavern in the midst of a noisy crowd. These vulgar pleasures do not win Faust over, and Méphistophélès takes him to the banks of the Elbe where he introduces him to the young Marguerite in an enchanting dream. As soon as Faust and Marguerite meet, they recognise and swear their love for each another. But the two lovers must separate, as Méphistophélès warns them that they have attracted the attention of the neighbours and of Marguerite’s mother. Despite his promise to return the next day, Faust seems to have forgotten Marguerite in order to plunge into the contemplation of nature. Méphistophélès joins him and tells him that the girl is condemned to death for having poisoned her mother. To save her, he demands that Faust sign a compact committing him to serve him, and he takes him with him to Hell at the end of a fantastic ride.  Only Marguerite is saved and welcomed into Heaven by a choir of celestial spirits.  - See more at: http://www.opera-online.com/en/items/works/la-damnation-de-faust-berlioz-berlioz-1846#sthash.xUJHrO3k.dpuf

The action takes place in the Middle Ages, in Hungary and Germany. Overwhelmed by his distaste for life, Faust ends his days by taking poison. Easter songs lift him out of his despair by bringing back his childhood faith, but this mystical fervour leads to the sudden appearance of the devil, Méphistophélès, who promises him all the pleasures of life and takes him to a tavern in the midst of a noisy crowd. These vulgar pleasures do not win Faust over, and Méphistophélès takes him to the banks of the Elbe where he introduces him to the young Marguerite in an enchanting dream. As soon as Faust and Marguerite meet, they recognise and swear their love for each another. But the two lovers must separate, as Méphistophélès warns them that they have attracted the attention of the neighbours and of Marguerite’s mother. Despite his promise to return the next day, Faust seems to have forgotten Marguerite in order to plunge into the contemplation of nature. Méphistophélès joins him and tells him that the girl is condemned to death for having poisoned her mother. To save her, he demands that Faust sign a compact committing him to serve him, and he takes him with him to Hell at the end of a fantastic ride.  Only Marguerite is saved and welcomed into Heaven by a choir of celestial spirits.  - See more at: http://www.opera-online.com/en/items/works/la-damnation-de-faust-berlioz-berlioz-1846#sthash.xUJHrO3k.dpuf