03/15/14 – Werther – 1:00pm

Metropolitan Opera

Werther by Jules Massenet
LIbretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann

Sung in French

Approximate running time 2 hrs. 50 min. One intermission.

Jonas Kaufmann stars in the title role of Massenet’s sublime adaptation of Goethe’s revolutionary and tragic romance, opposite Sophie Koch as Charlotte. The new production is directed and designed by Richard Eyre and Rob Howell, the same team that created the Met’s recent hit staging of Carmen. Rising young maestro Alain Altinoglu conducts.

Werther is “another success for Mr. Kaufmann, currently the most in-demand, versatile and exciting tenor in opera… Mr. Kaufmann is ideal in the role. He sings with dark colorings, melting warmth, virile intensity and powerful top notes.” (New York Times)

Sophie Koch, “in her overdue Met debut… brings a plush, strong voice and aching vulnerability to Charlotte… [She] sang with gleaming intensity.” (New York Times)

“The bright-voiced, impressive soprano Lisette Oropesa is a sunny, winning Sophie.” (New York Times)

“Alain Altinoglu led a beautifully restrained account of the score, drawing supple, deep-textured and nuanced playing from the Met orchestra.” (New York Times)

“The ovations for this superb cast, especially the great Mr. Kaufmann, went on and on.” (New York Times)

 

Cast/Crew