Mille grazie. This is perhaps the rarest find ever for me on YouTube. Gencer and Oncine are, in my experience, topped only by Garanca and Alvarez in a recent Wiener Staatsoper production. The singing and emotion are heart-wrenching.
Juan Oncina is the greatest werther every thought every heartfelt dream is there for all to see ,it is an inspired performance and dramatically leaves much of todays interpreters floundering in his wake.
WERTHER is an opera in four acts by JULES MASSENET to a French libretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann based on the German epistolary novel The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Although Massenet wrote and completed his opera in 1887, it did not receive any performance until it premiered at the Imperial Theatre Hofoper in Vienna on February 16, 1892, in a German version translated by Max Kalbeck.[1] It had a great success. The French-language premiere followed in Geneva on December 27, 1892,[1] and the first performance in France was at the Opéra-Comique, Paris on January 16, 1893.
The United States premiere with the Metropolitan Opera took place in Chicago on March 29, 1894, and then in the company's main house in New York City three weeks later. The UK premiere was at Covent Garden, London, on June 11, 1894
Werther is regularly performed and has been recorded many times. Although written for a tenor, Massenet adjusted the role of Werther for a baritone, when Mattia Battistini sang it in Saint Petersburg in 1902.
The widowed Bailiff teaches his younger children a Christmas carol in July. Charlotte dresses for a ball. Since her intended, Albert, is away, she is escorted by Werther whom they find gloomy. Werther arrives and watches as Charlotte prepares her young siblings' supper, just as her mother had before she died. Werther greets Charlotte and they leave for the ball. Albert returns unexpectedly after a six month trip.
He is unsure of Charlotte's intentions and disappointed not to find her here, but is reassured and consoled by Sophie. He leaves after promising to return in the morning. Werther and Charlotte return very late, and he is already enamoured of her. His declaration of love is interrupted by the announcement of Albert's return. Charlotte recalls how she promised her dying mother she would marry Albert. Werther despairs.
It is three months later, and Charlotte and Albert are now married. They walk happily to church, pursued by the gloomy Werther. Sophie tries to cheer him up. When Charlotte exits the church, he speaks to her of their first meeting. Charlotte begs Werther not to try to see her again until Christmas Day. Werther contemplates suicide. Charlotte comforts the tearful girl who does not understand his cruel behavior. Albert now realizes that Werther loves Charlotte.
Charlotte is at home alone on Christmas Eve. She spends time rereading Werther's letters to herself, wondering how the young poet is and how she had the strength to send him away. Suddenly Werther appears, and while he reads her poetry, he realizes that she returns his love. They embrace for a moment, but she quickly bids him farewell. He leaves with thoughts of suicide.
Albert returns home to find his distraught wife. Werther has sent a message to Albert requesting to borrow his pistols, explaining he is going on an extended trip. A servant is sent to deliver the pistols. Charlotte has a terrible premonition and hurries to find Werther. (Acts 3 and 4 are played without a break.)
At Werther's apartment, Charlotte has arrived too late. Werther is dying. She consoles him by declaring her love. He asks for forgiveness. After he dies, Charlotte faints. Outside children are heard singing a Christmas carol.
Mille grazie. This is perhaps the rarest find ever for me on YouTube. Gencer and Oncine are, in my experience, topped only by Garanca and Alvarez in a recent Wiener Staatsoper production. The singing and emotion are heart-wrenching.
operamark1 1 month ago
Juan Oncina is the greatest werther every thought every heartfelt dream is there for all to see ,it is an inspired performance and dramatically leaves much of todays interpreters floundering in his wake.
TheValdoro 1 month ago
WERTHER is an opera in four acts by JULES MASSENET to a French libretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann based on the German epistolary novel The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago in playlist More videos from MIlqar
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Although Massenet wrote and completed his opera in 1887, it did not receive any performance until it premiered at the Imperial Theatre Hofoper in Vienna on February 16, 1892, in a German version translated by Max Kalbeck.[1] It had a great success. The French-language premiere followed in Geneva on December 27, 1892,[1] and the first performance in France was at the Opéra-Comique, Paris on January 16, 1893.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
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The United States premiere with the Metropolitan Opera took place in Chicago on March 29, 1894, and then in the company's main house in New York City three weeks later. The UK premiere was at Covent Garden, London, on June 11, 1894
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago in playlist More videos from MIlqar
Werther is regularly performed and has been recorded many times. Although written for a tenor, Massenet adjusted the role of Werther for a baritone, when Mattia Battistini sang it in Saint Petersburg in 1902.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago in playlist More videos from MIlqar
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Synopsis
Time: July to December 1780.
Place: Wetzlar.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
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Act 1
The widowed Bailiff teaches his younger children a Christmas carol in July. Charlotte dresses for a ball. Since her intended, Albert, is away, she is escorted by Werther whom they find gloomy. Werther arrives and watches as Charlotte prepares her young siblings' supper, just as her mother had before she died. Werther greets Charlotte and they leave for the ball. Albert returns unexpectedly after a six month trip.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago in playlist More videos from MIlqar
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He is unsure of Charlotte's intentions and disappointed not to find her here, but is reassured and consoled by Sophie. He leaves after promising to return in the morning. Werther and Charlotte return very late, and he is already enamoured of her. His declaration of love is interrupted by the announcement of Albert's return. Charlotte recalls how she promised her dying mother she would marry Albert. Werther despairs.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago in playlist More videos from MIlqar
Act 2
It is three months later, and Charlotte and Albert are now married. They walk happily to church, pursued by the gloomy Werther. Sophie tries to cheer him up. When Charlotte exits the church, he speaks to her of their first meeting. Charlotte begs Werther not to try to see her again until Christmas Day. Werther contemplates suicide. Charlotte comforts the tearful girl who does not understand his cruel behavior. Albert now realizes that Werther loves Charlotte.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you !
MrGer2295 3 months ago in playlist More videos from MIlqar
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Act 3
Charlotte is at home alone on Christmas Eve. She spends time rereading Werther's letters to herself, wondering how the young poet is and how she had the strength to send him away. Suddenly Werther appears, and while he reads her poetry, he realizes that she returns his love. They embrace for a moment, but she quickly bids him farewell. He leaves with thoughts of suicide.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago in playlist More videos from MIlqar
This has been flagged as spam show
Act 3
Albert returns home to find his distraught wife. Werther has sent a message to Albert requesting to borrow his pistols, explaining he is going on an extended trip. A servant is sent to deliver the pistols. Charlotte has a terrible premonition and hurries to find Werther. (Acts 3 and 4 are played without a break.)
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago in playlist More videos from MIlqar
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Act 4
At Werther's apartment, Charlotte has arrived too late. Werther is dying. She consoles him by declaring her love. He asks for forgiveness. After he dies, Charlotte faints. Outside children are heard singing a Christmas carol.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago in playlist More videos from MIlqar