The Secret Teachings of Opera | Divine Tests, Temptation, and Holy Negation in Mefistofele (Prologue and Act I)

Like Beethoven, Arrigo Boito composed only one opera (Mefistofele), yet whose mystical allegory, musical power, and masterful lyricism continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. This clever yet profound opera also inspires, alarms, and, quite frequently, amuses. Based on medieval legends and Goethe’s play Faust, this work depicts the famous and jaded scholar who makes a bet with the devil: to acquire occult knowledge and faculties at the cost of his soul, or to conquer temptation in the service of the sacred. If Faust can overcome passion, power, and desire, he can enter the divine mysteries and spiritual hierarchies where true peace, realization, and understanding is to be found. Surprisingly, all of this occurs under the auspices of the Transcendent, for without divinely-sanctioned temptation and adversity, there is no development, mastery, or faith, like Jehovah approving of Satan’s afflictions upon Job to prove his candidacy to sainthood (Job 1:12). Or as described by Samael Aun Weor throughout his writings, “Temptation is fire. Triumph over temptation is light.” Discover how an initiate enters the secret path to liberation by facing the necessary forces of opposition and resistance—the mysterious and instructive tests of Lucifer (“the light-maker”)—so as to acquire profound self-knowledge and the wielding of esoteric powers with ethics, purity, and wisdom.

If you have not already, we recommend you listen to or study the following lecture, since it provides much background knowledge that will deepen your understanding of this opera:

The Eternal Tarot: Arcanum 15

See also the following resources and references:

• https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/divine-tests-temptation-and-holy-negation-in-mefistofele-prologue-and-act-i
• Boito - Mefistofele: Arena, Ramey, Benackova, San Francisco Opera House