La damnation de Faust

In 1846 Berlioz reworked and expanded his Huit Scènes de Faust of 1829. The result was a work of an experimental nature: a légende dramatique (“dramatic legend”) with features of an opera, but intended for performance in concert halls. La Damnation de Faust did not meet with acclaim during the composer’s lifetime, but was a phenomenal success after his death, even inspiring theatre directors to propose staged versions.