BocelliOnline

[Melodie]

Werther
Jules Massenet

ACT I. Wetzlar, near Frankfurt, 1780s. Though it is July, the widowed Bailiff teaches his younger children a Christmas carol in the garden of their house. Their progress is watched with amusement by two neighbors, Schmidt and Johann. They ask for Charlotte, the eldest daughter, who is engaged to Albert. In his absence, the Bailiff tells them, she will be escorted to the local ball that night by a young visiting poet, Werther, whom they find uncongenial. As the friends go off to supper and the Bailiff goes into the house, Werther arrives. He rhapsodizes on the beauty of the evening and watches unseen as Charlotte cuts bread and butter for the children's supper. When the party has left for the ball and the Bailiff has gone to join his friends at the tavern, Albert returns unexpectedly. Disappointed at not finding Charlotte, he promises her sister Sophie he will return in the morning. As the moon rises, Werther and Charlotte return. He has fallen in love with her, but his declaration is cut short when the Bailiff passes by, observing that Albert has returned. Despite his despair, Werther urges Charlotte not to break her promise to marry Albert.

ACT II. Three months later, Charlotte and Albert, now married, walk contentedly across the town square on their way to church, followed by Werther. Albert tries to comfort the youth, and Sophie also attempts to cheer him up, but when Charlotte comes out of the church, he speaks of their first meeting; disturbed, she tells him he must leave Wetzlar until Christmas. Werther contemplates suicide, and when Sophie interrupts him, he rushes away. As Charlotte consoles the tearful girl, Albert realizes that Werther must be in love with his wife.

ACT III. Alone at home on Christmas Eve, Charlotte rereads the dejected letters written to her by Werther. While she prays for strength, he suddenly appears. Charlotte tries to remain calm and asks him to read to her from his translation of Ossian. Werther chooses a passage where the poet foresees his own death, and when Charlotte begs him to stop, he realizes she returns his love. But she runs from his embrace with a final farewell, and Werther leaves, resolved to die. Albert enters, surprised to find Charlotte distraught, and when a message arrives from Werther asking to borrow Albert's pistols, her reaction convinces him of her love for Werther. He makes her give the pistols to the servant herself, but when Albert has gone she hurries off, praying she may reach Werther in time.

ACT IV. Charlotte arrives at Werther's quarters to find him mortally wounded. She declares her love, and he begs forgiveness. As he dies, the voices of the children outside are heard singing their Christmas carol.
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-- courtesy of Opera News

http://www.metopera.org/synopses/werther.html

[Melodie]

Werther Synopsis

Act I. The Bailiff's House

In the garden of the Bailiff's home, children practice a Christmas carol. Johann and Schmidt, calling on the Bailiff's daughters Charlotte and Sophie, comment that July is early for Christmas songs. Promising to see the girls later at the ball, they depart and the family retires. Werther arrives and admires the garden. He asks Mother Nature to bless his lonely soul. As if in answer to his prayer, Charlotte appears surrounded by her younger siblings. Overwhelmed by her beauty and maternal tenderness, Werther offers her his arm, and they depart for the ball. Albert, Charlotte's fiancé, arrives. Sophie assures him that Charlotte is looking forward to their wedding. Albert is overjoyed. A musical interlude depicts the moonlit garden. Charlotte and Werther return from the ball. Lingering at the gate, Charlotte deflects Werther's compliments and tells him of her mother's death. Undeterred, Werther declares his love for Charlotte. Charlotte breaks away as her the Bailiff comes out of the house to announce that Albert has returned. Charlotte hurriedly says goodbye. Left alone, Werther cries out in anguish.

Act II. The Linden Trees

It is Sunday morning, and Johann and Schmidt are drinking in the village square. Albert and Charlotte, now married for three months, pass by on their way to church. Werther watches them unobserved and laments the futility of his love. Albert takes Werther aside and indicates that he knows of Werther's secret love for Charlotte. Werther protests, saying his infatuation has passed. Sophie enters and encourages Werther to rejoice, but he remains despondent. Sophie and Albert enter the church. Charlotte comes out and is surprised to see Werther. She tells him to leave and find a new love, but seeing his anguish, relents and asks him to return to her at Christmas. She leaves, and Werther prays for peace, even in death. He departs quickly, observed by Sophie, who tells Charlotte and Albert of Werther's strange behavior. Albert realizes that Werther is still in love with Charlotte.

Act III. Charlotte and Werther

Alone on Christmas Eve, Charlotte re-reads Werther's letters. Sophie enters and teases Charlotte about her gloominess. Sophie remarks that nobody has been happy since Werther's departure, a statement that provokes tears from Charlotte. Sophie leaves, and Charlotte prays for the strength to resist her passion for Werther. Werther appears and reminds Charlotte of the poems they used to read. One in particular captures his despair. Overcome by emotion, he embraces Charlotte, who rebuffs him and runs away. Realizing that nothing remains for him except death, Werther scribbles a note for Albert and flees. Albert arrives and demands to know why Charlotte is so upset. He reads Werther's note which asks to borrow his pistols. Albert tells Charlotte to send them to Werther and leaves. Charlottes rushes out after Werther.

Act IV. Christmas Eve - Werther's Death

Charlotte finds Werther lying in his study, near death but still conscious. Confessing her love, Charlotte kisses him, hoping that her kiss will eradicate his pain. Off-stage the children sing their Christmas song, and Sophie joins in with her happy song from Act II. Asking only that Charlotte hallow his grave with her tears, Werther dies as the children sing their refrain.

http://www.operavivente.org/WertherSynopsis.html

[Melodie]

For a list of arias from Werther:

http://www.aria-database.com/cgibin/aria-search.pl?opera=Werther&a;