Classical Music

Houston artist Earl Staley, set designer of San Diego Opera’s upcoming production of Gounod’s “Faust,” was guest of honor Tuesday night at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art. The reception opened the museum’s exhibit of Staley’s paintings, story boards and set designs that were first seen in Houston Grand Opera’s 1985 premiere of this “Faust” co-production.

Following the set’s Houston debut, the Houston Chronicle lauded the bold strokes of Staley’s naturalistic, neo-Romantic design. Although the artist had never designed for the stage, his vivid and sometimes demonic paintings marked him as a likely designer for Gounod’s grand opera adaptation of Goethe’s classic poem of a pact with the devil.

The exhibit will run through March 13, opening night of San Diego’s “Faust” production.