Faust in Five Minutes, a musical medley historiette thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Faust in Five Minutes, a musical medley historiette

Score
ca. 19th century (printed and published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Faust, or Doctor Faustus, was a German astronomer and wandering conjuror who lived from about 1488-1541. According to legend, Faust was a necromancer, or someone who practised black magic. Legend says that he sold his soul to the Devil, in return for knowledge and power. Faust became the basis for various theatrical works. Christopher Marlowe published his play Doctor Faustus in 1604. The great German dramatist Goethe published his Faust in two parts, in 1808 and 1832. Faust in Five Minutes tells the Faust legend, and was probably inspired by the French composer, Hector Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust which was first performed in 1846. This musical entertainment has compressed the story into five minutes. Howard Paul was a comic writer and singer, and here he appears as Mephistopheles. Mephistopheles is the Devil's henchman, and persuades Faust into bargaining away his soul.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Score
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
  • Score
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
  • Score
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
  • Score
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
  • Score
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
  • Score
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
  • Score
  • Sheet Music
  • Print
TitleFaust in Five Minutes, a musical medley historiette (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph on paper
Brief description
Music sheet for Faust in Five Minutes, a musical medley historiette, written by Henry Walker, sung by Howard Paul, published in London, ca. 19th century.
Physical description
Illustrated in colour full length portrait of Howard Paul as Mephistopheles.
Includes lyrics and music for Faust in Five Minutes.
Dimensions
  • Height: 36cm
  • Width: 26cm
Marks and inscriptions
(Printed on front cover.)
Credit line
Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceFaust
Summary
Faust, or Doctor Faustus, was a German astronomer and wandering conjuror who lived from about 1488-1541. According to legend, Faust was a necromancer, or someone who practised black magic. Legend says that he sold his soul to the Devil, in return for knowledge and power. Faust became the basis for various theatrical works. Christopher Marlowe published his play Doctor Faustus in 1604. The great German dramatist Goethe published his Faust in two parts, in 1808 and 1832. Faust in Five Minutes tells the Faust legend, and was probably inspired by the French composer, Hector Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust which was first performed in 1846. This musical entertainment has compressed the story into five minutes. Howard Paul was a comic writer and singer, and here he appears as Mephistopheles. Mephistopheles is the Devil's henchman, and persuades Faust into bargaining away his soul.
Other number
244 - PeoplePlay UK number
Collection
Accession number
S.685-2012

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Record createdJuly 30, 2012
Record URL
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