Faust's dark tale told in world's first heavy metal opera in Norway

AFP, March, 2005

KRISTIANSUND, Norway (AFP) — The dark tale of Faust and his existential journey has left its classical opera setting and will be depicted in "the world's first" heavy metal opera in this small western Norwegian town on Friday.

"When it comes to the theme, Faust is perfect for heavy metal and vice versa," Kristiansund opera chief Jan Karstensen told AFP.

"Faust addresses some of the great, eternal questions about a person's integrity and whether it should be for sale ... and whether we should manipulate the natural course of life," he said.

"Metal too addresses the big questions in life through its expression of our dark side."

The Faust myth dates back to the 15th century and has been depicted by numerous great authors through the centuries,...