(Credit: Simon van Rompay)

This week, the Opéra Royal de Wallonie Liège is set to perform Liszt’s “Faust Symphonie,” a piece inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s drama, “Faust.” For the tenor role, which appears at the end of the piece, Alexander Marev will take centerstage.

The rising star has performed with the Opéra Royal de Wallonie over many years appearing in such works as “Tristan und Isolde,” “Adriana Lecouvreur,” “Rigoletto,” and “Alzira.” However, unlike those other opportunities where was a supporting cast member, all eyes will be on him for this performance.

In a recent interview, Marev spoke about his experience with the theater and said, “Each return to Opéra Royal de Wallonie feels like coming back to my artistic home — a house with a strong vocal tradition and an audience that truly listens.”

Regarding the Liszt piece, he added, “This piece is very special. It was premiered in Weimar in 1857, although its first version was written by Liszt in 1854. Some critics felt that the original ending lacked the true spirit of Faust, which is why, three years later, Liszt added the Chorus mysticus — a theological and spiritual conclusion following the three parts: Faust, Gretchen, and Mephistopheles.”

Recordings 

For more on Marev, here is in “Tristan und Isolde” and “La Tabernera del Puerto.”