The production stars Michael Hendrick and Kelly Smith as Faust and Marguerite. Stage direction is by Amy Hutchison.

The isolation and loneliness of an old man’s cyber existence sets the stage for DuPage Opera Theatre’s new vision of Charles Gounod’s Faust, opening Sunday at the McAninch Arts Center in west suburban Glen Ellyn.

While this 19th century opera will be sung in the original French (with projected English subtitles), artistic and music director Kirk Muspratt hopes to bring this struggle between good and evil closer to the present and to the attention of Internet-surfing audiences by updating the image of the famous doctor.

The opera, which also will be performed Tuesday and July 23, is about the aging Dr. Faust, who is embittered and in despair that his search for the meaning of life has been in vain. He curses God for the aging process and calls for Satan to come to his aid.

Mephistopheles obliges, offering wealth, power and, finally, youth in exchange for Faust’s soul. Faust hesitates until he sees the young and beautiful Marguerite and his passion overtakes his reason — he signs away his soul to the Devil. Mephistopheles orchestrates destruction as Faust seduces Marguerite, whose guilt at pregnancy and infanticide drives her insane and to prison.

The production stars Michael Hendrick and Kelly Smith as Faust and Marguerite. Stage direction is by Amy Hutchison.

The McAninch Arts Center is at 425 Fawell Blvd. at the College of DuPage. Show times are 6 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. Tuesday and July 23. Tickets are $38, $36 for seniors and students. Call (630) 942-4000; www.atthemac.org.

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