Maestro Hermann Michael worked with the dynamic young stage director Francesca Zambello on a gripping production, both theatrically and musically. Michael Myers and Peter Kazaras shared the title role, with Richard Van Allan and Harry Dworchak as Méphistophélès; Cheryl Studer and Nancy Gustafson, both at the top of their respective form, sang Marguerite, and Dale Duesing, always an audience favorite, returned as
Valentin. The reaction in the community and the press compared the success of
Faust to “lightning striking.”

Cheryl Studer (Margeurite) in Gounod’s Faust, 1987. © Matthew McVay

Cheryl Studer (Margeurite) in Gounod’s Faust, 1987. © Matthew McVay

Dale Duesing (Valentin) and Cheryl Studer (Margeurite) in Gounod’s Faust, 1987. © Seattle Opera

Cheryl Studer (Margeurite) and Dale Deusing (Valentin) in Gounod’s Faust, 1987. © Seattle Opera

Richard Van Allan (Mephistopheles), Michael Myers (Faust) and Cheryl Studer (Margeurite) in Gounod’s Faust, 1987. © Seattle Opera

Richard Van Allan (Mephistopheles) and Michael Myers (Faust) in Gounod’s Faust, 1987. © Seattle Opera