| Mefistofele | |
|---|---|
| Opera by Arrigo Boito | |
_-_Archivio_Storico_Ricordi_ICON004306.jpg) Set design for the Prologue in Heaven, by Carlo Ferrario, 1881 | |
| Librettist | Boito |
| Language | Italian |
| Based on | Faust legend |
| Premiere | 5 March 1868 Teatro alla Scala, Milan |
Mefistofele (Italian pronunciation: [mefiˈstɔːfele]) is an opera in a prologue and five acts, later reduced to four acts and an epilogue, the only completed opera with music by the Italian composer-librettist Arrigo Boito (there are several completed operas for which he was librettist only). The opera was given its premiere on 5 March 1868 at La Scala, Milan, under the baton of the composer, despite his lack of experience and skill as a conductor.
However, it was not a success and was immediately withdrawn after only two performances both of which were hissed at by the audiences. Revisions in 1875 resulted in success in Bologna and, with further adjustments in 1876 for Venice, the opera was performed elsewhere.