Werther

Story

Synopsis

The production was the Vienna State Opera debut for the young Swiss conductor Philippe Jordan – the Argentinian tenor Marcelo Álvarez, took the title role. His Charlotte on this occasion was the young Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča. Her performances have been enthusiastically received and she has already been labelled as the new mezzo wonder. Staged by internationally sought-after Rumanian director, Andrei Serban, the apparently sentimental love story – normally presented in 18th century period costumes - reveals a study of personal relationships and a close observation of a woman, who comes of age too late. Serban’s aim was to rid the opera of the unjustified reputation of banality that clings to it despite its underlying tragic mood. By setting the production in the stiff, claustrophobic atmosphere of a small town in the 1950s, he aimed to make the audience more aware of its deeper levels of self-denial.

Director

Andrei Serban

Writers

Edouard Blau, Paul Milliet

Language

French

Country

Austria

Release date

5 November 2005

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Marcelo Álvarez

  Werther

• 

  Elīna Garanča

  Charlotte

• Adrian Eröd

  Albert

• 

  Ileana Tonca

  Sophie

• 

  Alfred Šramek

  Le Bailli

• Peter Jelosits

  Schmidt

• Markus Pelz

  Johann

• Clemens Unterreiner

  Brühlmann

• Maria Gusenleitner

  Käthchen

• 

  Philippe Jordan

  Self - Conductor

• Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper

  Self - Orchestra

• Wiener Staatsopernchor

  Self - Chorus