The second, revised version of Boito’s opera was fi rst premiered at the Teatro Comunale, Bologna in 1875. The version adapted by Balázs Kovalik was introduced to the audience of the Hungarian State Opera in 2010. In Kovalik’s interpretation Boito did not build on the romantic tradition, in the Faust theme he concentrated on the intellectual essence of the story rather than elaborating the romance between Faust and Margherita/Elena. The production, having hundreds of participants, is undoubtedly a unique experience: it is monumental and visually astonishing at the same time. The main part of the stage design for instance is a huge DNA spiral, the smallest molecule of human beings which symbolized one of the greatest achievements of science when fi rst described. Chippendale dancers of the Witches’ Sabbath scene as well as huge incubators
for Faust and Elena trying to fl ee into their own, futuristic dream world are also important parts of the director’s vision.