"it is the Méphistophélès of Erwin Schrott which dominates the proceedings. He is splendidly sardonic and manipulative and the way he leads the crowd in Le veau d'or is as splendid a piece of acting and singing as you can imagine. In comparison, Michael Fabiano's Faust is comparatively colourless ... Irina Lungu replaced an injured Diana Damrau as Marguerite and seemed to me to take her time in getting into the role ... but after her pregnancy and disgrace, and in a more appropriate costume, she is really touching ... Dan Ettinger conducts with more vigour than subtlety, but, as this is not a subtle piece, that was acceptable ... I enjoyed this performance and was glad to get to know the work".