"Sehne ich mich oft und denke: ach, könntest du das wieder ausdrücken, könntest du dem Papier das einhauchen, was so voll, so warm in dir lebt, daß es würde der Spiegel deiner Seele, wie deine Seele ist der Spiegel des unendlichen Gottes."
("I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!")
- The Sorrows of Young Werther, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
What is Werther?
An opera in four acts with a French libretto (text) written by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann.
Composer:
Jules Massenet, a French composer of the Romantic era.
Composer Background:
Massenet's full name was Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet. He is best known for his operas of which he wrote thirty. Two of his operas that are most frequently staged are Manon (1844) and Werther (1892). Along with his operas, Massenet also composed oratorios,
ballets, orchestral works and incidental music. While he was still a schoolboy, Massenet was admitted to France's principal music college, the Paris Conservatoire and later became a professor at the Conservatoire. Between 1867 and his death forty-five years later, Massenet wrote more than forty staged works that included opéra-comique productions to grand-scale depictions of classical myths, romantic comedies, lyric dramas and ballets.
Characters:
Charlotte, aged 20
Sophie, her sister, aged 15
Albert, betrothed to Charlotte, aged 25
Le Bailli, Charlotte's father
Schmidt, a friend of the Bailli
Johann, a friend of the Bailli
Brühlmann, a young man
Käthchen, Brühlmann's fiancée of seven years
Fritz, Max, Hans, Karl, Gretel, Clara - Children of the Bailli
Setting:
Wetzlar in Germany, taking place from July to December in the 1780s.
Opera Background:
The opera is loosely based on the German epistolary novel, The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which was in turn was based both on fact and on Goethe's early life.
Major plot points:
Act I:
- In July, the widowed Bailiff, is teaching his six youngest children a Christmas carol. His friends, Johann and Schmidt, arrive as Charlotte, the eldest daughter, dresses for a ball.
- Since her fiancé Albert is away, Charlotte will be escorted by Werther, though the Bailiff and his companions find him depressing. Werther arrives, and watches as Charlotte prepares her young siblings' supper, just as her mother had before she died.
- Albert returns unexpectedly after a six month trip. He is unsure of Charlotte's intentions for leaving with Werther to attend the ball.
- Later in the evening, Charlotte and Werther return from the ball. Werther surprises Charlotte with a declaration of love - however he is interrupted by the announcement of Albert's return. Charlotte recalls how she promised her dying mother she would marry Albert. Werther is in despair.
Act II:
- Three months later, Charlotte and Albert are now married. They walk to church followed by the disconsolate Werther.
- When Charlotte exits the church, Werther speaks to her of their first meeting.
- Charlotte begs Werther to leave her, though she indicates that she would be willing to receive him again on Christmas Day. Distraught, Werther contemplates suicide.
- Albert, watching them, now realizes that Werther is still in love with Charlotte.
Act III:
- Charlotte is alone at her home on Christmas Eve. She spends time rereading Werther's letters he had written to her, wondering about him.
- Suddenly Werther appears, and while he reads to her some of his poetry, he realizes that she does indeed return his love. They embrace for a moment, but Charlotte quickly bids him farewell.
- He leaves and entertains thoughts of suicide. Albert returns home to find his wife distraught. Werther sends a messenger to Albert, requesting to borrow his pistols, explaining he is going on an extended trip.
- After the servant has taken them, Charlotte has a terrible premonition and hurries to find Werther.
Act IV:
- Charlotte rushes to Werther's apartment, but it is too late - he has shot himself with Albert's pistol and he is dying.
- Charlotte consoles Werther by declaring her love for him. He asks for forgiveness.
Famous Hits from the Opera
Act I: Werther's aria "O Nature, pleine de grâce" ("Oh Nature, full of grace")
Act II:
Sophie's aria, "Du gai soleil, plein de flamme" ("From the gay sun, full of flames")
Act III:
Charlotte's aria, "Werther! Qui m'aurait dit /Ces lettres!" Charlotte, in love with Werther, re-reads the letters she meant to destroy.
Modern-day adaptations:
2007 – Poor Werther, film adaptation starring Alena Dashiell.
2010 – The Metropolitan Opera produces a Live HD transmission of Werther starring Jonas Kaufmann in the title role and Sophie Koch as Charlotte.
2012 – The Sorrows of Modern Day Werther and Other Stories, a collection of essays by Frank Kutas.
Previous AVA performances of Werther:
1966
1980 - Ruth Ann Swenson starred as Sophie
AVAlumni Performances:
Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato will be performing the role of Charlotte with the Royla Opera House in their production of Werther on June 19 - July 13, 2016.
For ticket information, call AVA during Box Office hours (M-F 10-5pm) at 215-735-1685 or go to avaopera.org for tickets.
Samantha van Adelsberg is a Los Angeles native working in AVA's marketing department and managing the AVA Young Professionals group. Samantha holds two degrees from Binghamton University in English and Vocal Performance and is an active rock vocalist in the Philadelphia music scene.
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