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Louise Bertin's Forgotten Faust Opera Revived in Zurich

cultural-heritage · 2026-05-13

A forgotten opera by Louise Bertin, the only woman in the 19th century to compose an opera based on Goethe's Faust, has been revived at the Opernhaus Zürich. Bertin wrote both the music and the libretto, predating Wagner's treatment of the subject. The revival presents a rediscovery of this overlooked work.

Key facts

  • Louise Bertin composed the first opera based on Goethe's Faust.
  • She was the only woman in the 19th century to do so.
  • Bertin wrote both the music and the libretto.
  • Her opera predates Wagner's Faust settings.
  • The work was revived at Opernhaus Zürich.
  • The revival is described as a discovery.

Entities

Artists

  • Louise Bertin
  • Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Institutions

  • Opernhaus Zürich

Locations

  • Zürich
  • Switzerland

Sources