What better piece to celebrate nine decades since the founding of the National Orchestra of France, than Berlioz's dramatic legend, La Damnationde Faust? Out of five events, this is the first one that marks this jubilee, with the Romanian conductor, Cristian Măcelaru, leading the ensemble.

The organizers said that the first concert of the jubilee is a musical "storm" created by Berlioz with La Damnation de Faust, which is not opera nor symphony, but rather a "dramatic legend," a true sonic apocalypse created on a kaleidoscopic structure. Berlioz's vision of hell and paradise remains unique in his music, a symbol of musical and artistic Romanticism. Specialists note that Berlioz is in the DNA of the National Orchestra of France.

The concert on March 21^stis a co-production of Radio France and the "Théâtre des Champs-Elysées" in Paris, featuring tenor John Irvin as Faust, bass Paul Gay as Méphistophélès, mezzo-soprano Stéphanie d'Oustrac as Marguerite, and bass Frédéric Caton as Brander. The National Orchestra of France will also be accompanied by the Radio France Choir.

Radio România Muzical will broadcast this concert on Thursday, March 21^st, 2024, at 8:30 p.m., as part of the European Stage programme. During the break, there will be an interview with the conductor Cristian Măcelaru.