Opera - Werther

Jules Massenet


Werther 130:00
Lyric drama in four acts and five scenes after Goethe
Libretto by Edouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann
English translation by Norman Tucker
Recorded live by the BBC at the London Coliseum on 13 December 1977

COMPACT DISC ONE
1 Prelude 4:27

Act I
2 'Enough! Enough!' 1:49
The Magistrate, the Children
3 'Bravo, to all the choir!' 5:23
Johann, Schmidt, the Children, the Magistrate, Sophie
4 'And so, is this the house where the Magistrate lives?' 2:17
Werther
5 'O fair Nature, great is your bounty' 3:27
Werther, the Children
6 'Charlotte! Charlotte!' 2:56
Hans, Karl, Max, Gretel, Clara, Fritz, Charlotte, the Magistrate
7 'Brühlmann, do come along!' 1:57
The Magistrate, Brühlmann, Käthchen, Charlotte, Werther, Sophie
8 'O sweet vision, ideal of love and of devotion' 1:41
Werther, the Magistrate, Charlotte
9 'Vivat Bacchus! Semper vivat!' 1:29
The Magistrate, Sophie
10 'Sophie!' 'Albert! So you've returned?' 2:35
Albert, Sophie
11 'Feelings of deepest thankfulness and love' 1:35
Albert
12 [Moonlight] 0:40
13 'And so we two must part' 3:58
Charlotte, Werther
14 'But, you know nothing of me' 0:43
Charlotte, Werther
15 'Alas, yes, they are mine' 3:08
Charlotte, Werther
16 'Visions of rapture and joy!' 1:45
Werther, Charlotte
17 'Charlotte! Charlotte! Albert has returned!' 2:06
The Magistrate, Charlotte, Werther

Act II
18 [Prelude:] The Lindens 1:20
19 'Vivat Bacchus! Semper vivat! This is Sunday!' 1:59
Johann, Schmidt
20 'Come on, let's sing the office' 2:41
Schmidt, Johann
21 'Three months!' 2:31
Albert, Charlotte
22 'Another! Another's wife!' 1:15
Werther
23 'These arms would not be holding' 1:41
Werther
24 'Yes, Käthchen will come back, I am sure' 1:45
Schmidt, Johann, Albert, Werther
25 'But she to whom I an now married' 2:49
Albert, Werther
26 'Bbrother, look here' 3:14
Sophie, Werther, Albert
27 'Was I not right?' 1:58
Werther, Charlotte
28 'Ah, how far off that day' 1:38
Werther, Charlotte
29 'Is there no other young girl in this place . . .?' 3:36
Charlotte, Werther
30 'Yes, all that she commands me' 1:51
Werther
31 'When any son returns to his home' 1:51
Werther
32 'Do come along. The procession is starting' 1:45
Sophie, Werther, Charlotte, Albert
73:56

COMPACT DISC TWO
Act III
1 [Prelude:] Charlotte and Werther 2:59
2 'Werther! . . . Ah, Werther!' 1:57
Charlotte
3 '''Here in my room I'm writing you this letter''' 1:37
Charlotte
4 '''The children's happy cries''' 3:36
Charlotte
5 'Charlotte, good-day' 1:32
Sophie, Charlotte
6 'Ah! Yes, laughter's a gift' 1:57
Sophie, Charlotte
7 'Ah! Now let my tears flow freely' 2:19
Charlotte
8 'Now, Charlotte, I'm sure, you should not be alone' 2:09
Sophie, Charlotte
9 'Ah! I am losing all my courage!' 1:52
Charlotte
10 'Werther! Ah!' 5:36
Charlotte, Werther
11 '''Why rouse me from my sleep . . .?' 2:04
Werther
12 'Do not go on!' 2:47
Charlotte, Werther
13 'Ah! I! I! In his arm!' 2:42
Charlotte, Werther
14 'So Werther has returned . . .' 3:15
Albert, Charlotte

Act IV
15 Scene 1: Christmas Eve 4:12
Scene 2: The Death of Werther
16 'Werther! Ah, Werther!' 4:33
Charlotte, Werther
17 'In this last hour of life I am truly bless'd' 4:40
Werther, Charlotte
18 'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!' 1:40
The Children, Charlotte, Werther, Sophie
19 'Ah! His eyes are closing' 0:59
Charlotte, Werther
20 ' . . . yes, but hear what I ask' 3:38
Werther, Charlotte, the Children
56:04

John Brecknock tenor - Werther
Patrick Wheatley baritone - Albert
Harold Blackburn bass - The Magistrate
Dame Janet Baker mezzo-soprano - Charlotte
Joy Roberts soprano - Sophie
John Tomlinson bass - Johann
Terry Jenkins tenor - Schmidt
Nigel Waugh baritone - Brühlmann
Janice Andrew mezzo-soprano - Käthchen
English National Opera Chorus
English National Opera Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras
Recorded in:
London Coliseum
13 December 1977
Producer(s)
Elaine Padmore (BBC)
Format: ADD
Bit Rate: 24 Bit Remaster