EVENINGS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC - BAHRAIN - |
PROGRAMME FOR 29 NOVEMBER 2000 |
WERTHER OPERA BY JULES MASSENET (1842-1912) |
Opera in four acts Libretto: Edouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann Premiere: 16 February 1892 in Vienna |
CAST Werther, a visitor Charlotte, the Bailiff's eldest child Sophie, the Bailiff's second child Albert, Charlotte's betrothed |
- Sung and acted by Peter Dvorsky - Sung and acted by Brigitte Fassbaender - Sung by Magdalena Hajossyova & Acted by Magdalena Vasaryova - Sung by Hans Helm & Acted by Michal Docolomansky |
Prague Symphony Chorus and Orchestra conducted by LIBOR PISEK |
THE STORY The scene is set in Wetzlar, near Frankfurt-on-Main, in the 1780's (the story covers a six month period, from July to December) ACT 1 The action takes place in the garden outside the Bailiff's house. He introduces Werther to his daughter Charlotte, who has taken care of the home and looked after the children since the death of her mother the year before. Werther falls in love with her at first sight, and she reciprocates her love. But she has made a deathbed vow to her mother that she will marry Albert, one of Werther's friends. ACT 2 The scene opens with the Golden Wedding of the pastor being celebrated in the local church. Charlotte and Albert emerge from the church and they appear extremely happy after the first three months of their marriage. Werther returns and Albert is aware that he and Charlotte were once in love - he hopes that he and Werther can still be friends. When Charlotte appears Werther tells her of his continuing love for her, but she sends him away, since she has a duty to Albert and cannot return his love. But his exile should not be forever, and she bids him to return at Christmas time. ACT 3 It is Christmas time and Werther returns. In his absence Charlotte has read and reread all the letters he has sent her, and realises that she is still very much in love with him. Werther visits the house when she is alone, and they declare their love for one another, but Charlotte is horrified and begs him to leave forever. Albert returns and attributes his wife's agitated state of mind to the fact that Werther has been seen in town. At this point, a servant enters with a message from Werther. He writes that he is about to embark on a long journey, and would like to borrow Albert's set of pistols. Albert tells Charlotte to give them to the servant. She does so mechanically, but in full knowledge of the significance of Werther's message. ACT 4 Charlotte runs through the town to Werther's apartment. She goes in only to find that he has already shot himself and is dying. He stops her going to get help, and is happy just to hear her say she has always loved him from the first moment they met. As he dies, the voices of the children singing joyously in the celebration of Christmas are heard outside in the street, and contrasts starkly with the tragedy within. |
A Peter Weigl Film, filmed in and around Prague sung in French, with English sub-titles |
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