Werther at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées

Ah... love! A cruel mistress, yet the lifeblood of many. What better way to explore the torments of love than via operatic format, and what better venue for extraordinary performances than the illustrious Théâtre des Champs-Élysées?

Created in 1892, Werther is an opera in four acts by Jules Massenet, based on the novel of the same name by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. This opera stands out from the lyric art repertoire for its profound psychological dimension and its exploration of love’s highs and lows with sensitivity and artistic dynamism.

Massenet is revered for the great psychological finesse imbued into his musical works, brilliantly conveying the intense emotions of the characters via precise notation and technical excellence. The melodies, often melancholy and airy, reflect the character of Werther's tormented state of mind and the bittersweetness of his unattainable love.

Werther is distinguished by its refined orchestration, which plays an important role in the atmosphere of the work. Leitmotifs, associated with characters and feelings, create a thematic unity and reinforce the dramatic impact of the score. Beyond mere musicality, the opera is also innovative in its structure, with shorter recitatives and fuller arias allowing the action to flow more smoothly and the emotions to be expressed directly towards the audience.

In all, Werther is a distinctive work within the operatic repertoire, offering a poignant and unique exploration of the torments of love and the fragility of coexistence. Massenet's music offers great beauty and sensitivity, an auditory contribution that renders this opera a timeless masterpiece. Singing of the cruelty of love and sublimating the composer's beautiful arias are tenor Benjamin Bernheim and mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti. Conductor François-Xavier Roth leads his ensemble Les Siècles. A reunion of exceptional talents upon a world-famous stage… what’s not to love?

This year, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is the place to see Jules Massenet's magnificent opera Werther. The music will bring tears to your eyes with its palpable emotion, which complements the profound nature of the story. Allow us to familiarise you with this doomed narrative…

Werther offers a poignant and drama-filled love story embroiling three main characters: Werther, a sensitive and passionate young poet, Charlotte, a sweet and endearing woman torn between forbidden love and marital duty, and her fiancé Albert, a respectable and composed man, unable to understand the passion for Werther that consumes his soon-to-be bride.

The plot takes place in 18th-century Germany and follows the evolving relationship that entangles these three characters. Werther, blinded by his love for Charlotte, cannot accept her engagement to Albert. Plagued by insufferable fits of jealousy and despair, he is driven to madness and, ultimately, the utmost act of self-sacrifice.

Massenet depicts the complex personalities of his characters with finesse. Werther is the embodiment of exaggerated romanticism, evident in Charlotte’s confusion between her feelings and her social and familial obligations. Albert, for his part, represents reason and stability, but is unable to fill Charlotte's emotional void. Will societal expectations or true love prevail?

Werther is a work that is deeply emotionally charged, wherein passionate love collides with social conventions and inner demons. The characters, endearing and tragic, embody the different facets of love and loss in a world governed by intense scopophilic duties to remain in line and act accordingly. Here’s a word of advice: bring tissues!