Werther - Schedule, Program & Tickets
Werther
musical direction
Alejo Pérez
staging
Andrei Serban
stage and costumes
Peter Pabst
costume work
Petra Reinhardt
Werther
Dmitry Korchak
Albert
Attila Mokus
Le Bailli
Hans-Peter Kammerer
Charlotte
Vasilisa Berzhanskaya
Sophia
Maria Nazarova
Even if Massenet wanted to continue the triumph of his Manon with Werther, he refused the dictates of the director of the Paris Opéra-Comique, who demanded a copy of the successful opera from him in terms of form and style. Rather, he was looking for new creative paths and forms of expression: on the one hand, Massenet dealt with the work of Richard Wagner and on the other hand experimented with orchestration. Among other things, he supplemented the range of instruments with the solo saxophone, which enabled him to achieve proto-impressionistic timbres. The resulting rejection of the work by the Paris Opéra-Comique meant that Massenet had to look for another stage and accepted an offer from the Vienna Court Opera, where »Werther« finally had its successful premiere in 1892. In contrast to Goethe's original, Massenet not only focuses on the title character, but also on Charlotte, who has been significantly upgraded dramaturgically. In addition to Werther's desperate love, the complex psychological development of this young woman is also addressed and musically traced in the opera.
Plot
ACT 1
In the middle of summer, the widowed bailiff rehearses Christmas carols with his underage children. Werther, who comes to visit, becomes enthusiastic about the wonderful nature. When he sees the great love that the children have for their sister Charlotte, the bailiff's only adult daughter, he is deeply impressed. Left alone with Charlotte, he confesses his love for her. But Charlotte evades him and points out a vow she had made to her dying mother: to marry Albert, her fiancé. Then the news arrives that Albert has returned. Werther stays behind in despair.
ACT 2
A few months after Albert and Charlotte's wedding, a debate ensues between the two rivals. But Albert seems to forgive Werther's earlier passion. No sooner are Charlotte and Werther alone than he reaffirms his love for her. Charlotte rejects him again and only allows him to meet again at Christmas time. Werther flees, leaving Sophie, Charlotte's 15-year-old sister, crying. She fell unhappily in love with him.
ACT 3
On Christmas Day, Charlotte, who is now also devoted to Werther, reads his letters. A suicidal threat contained therein frightens her. When Sophie comes and talks about Werther, Charlotte bursts into tears. When she is alone again, Werther comes to her quite unexpectedly. He demands a kiss, but Charlotte refuses. Werther then leaves Charlotte and sends Albert a letter asking for his pistol, which Albert also has sent to him.
4. ACT
When Charlotte becomes aware of Werther's suicidal intentions, she goes in search of him. But she only finds him dying. Now that everything is too late, she confesses her love for him. In the background, the children sing the Christmas carol they had rehearsed in the summer.
This production is sponsored by: Lexus
Subject to change.
Alejo Pérez
staging
Andrei Serban
stage and costumes
Peter Pabst
costume work
Petra Reinhardt
Werther
Dmitry Korchak
Albert
Attila Mokus
Le Bailli
Hans-Peter Kammerer
Charlotte
Vasilisa Berzhanskaya
Sophia
Maria Nazarova
Even if Massenet wanted to continue the triumph of his Manon with Werther, he refused the dictates of the director of the Paris Opéra-Comique, who demanded a copy of the successful opera from him in terms of form and style. Rather, he was looking for new creative paths and forms of expression: on the one hand, Massenet dealt with the work of Richard Wagner and on the other hand experimented with orchestration. Among other things, he supplemented the range of instruments with the solo saxophone, which enabled him to achieve proto-impressionistic timbres. The resulting rejection of the work by the Paris Opéra-Comique meant that Massenet had to look for another stage and accepted an offer from the Vienna Court Opera, where »Werther« finally had its successful premiere in 1892. In contrast to Goethe's original, Massenet not only focuses on the title character, but also on Charlotte, who has been significantly upgraded dramaturgically. In addition to Werther's desperate love, the complex psychological development of this young woman is also addressed and musically traced in the opera.
Plot
ACT 1
In the middle of summer, the widowed bailiff rehearses Christmas carols with his underage children. Werther, who comes to visit, becomes enthusiastic about the wonderful nature. When he sees the great love that the children have for their sister Charlotte, the bailiff's only adult daughter, he is deeply impressed. Left alone with Charlotte, he confesses his love for her. But Charlotte evades him and points out a vow she had made to her dying mother: to marry Albert, her fiancé. Then the news arrives that Albert has returned. Werther stays behind in despair.
ACT 2
A few months after Albert and Charlotte's wedding, a debate ensues between the two rivals. But Albert seems to forgive Werther's earlier passion. No sooner are Charlotte and Werther alone than he reaffirms his love for her. Charlotte rejects him again and only allows him to meet again at Christmas time. Werther flees, leaving Sophie, Charlotte's 15-year-old sister, crying. She fell unhappily in love with him.
ACT 3
On Christmas Day, Charlotte, who is now also devoted to Werther, reads his letters. A suicidal threat contained therein frightens her. When Sophie comes and talks about Werther, Charlotte bursts into tears. When she is alone again, Werther comes to her quite unexpectedly. He demands a kiss, but Charlotte refuses. Werther then leaves Charlotte and sends Albert a letter asking for his pistol, which Albert also has sent to him.
4. ACT
When Charlotte becomes aware of Werther's suicidal intentions, she goes in search of him. But she only finds him dying. Now that everything is too late, she confesses her love for him. In the background, the children sing the Christmas carol they had rehearsed in the summer.
This production is sponsored by: Lexus
Subject to change.
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