Faust
Why were masters of the occult respected but witches burnt?
Anthony Grafton discusses five celebrated scholars, beginning with Dr Faustus, who separated ‘good’ magic from ‘bad’ in their studies of alchemy, astrology and conjuration
Pretentious rock on a grand scale
There is many a book that has been cooked up over a liquid lunch, but rarely has one been so…
Not a repertory piece but in its dignity it earns respect: Royal Opera’s Oedipe reviewed
For years I have been telling people that they should listen to, in the absence of staged performances, Enescu’s opera…
A literary lap dance: Doctor Faustus reviewed
Great excitement for play-goers as a rare version of a theological masterpiece arrives in the West End. Doctor Faustus stars…
Another ‘big book’ — with big problems — from Jonathan Franzen
Jonathan Franzen’s latest novel, Purity, comes with great expectations. Its author’s awareness of this fact is signalled by a series…
The Nightwatches of Bonaventura: a masterpiece of German Gothic
In the early 19th century, the Romantic movement was in full swing across Europe. You could probably date its birth…
Bryn Terfel lords it over 'Faust' magnificently
There’s a great deal to disapprove of in Gounod’s Faust. It breaks down a pillar of western literature and whisks…
