from Act I of the French opera Werther by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Edouard Blau

Role: Albert, a young man, about 25 years old

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: lyric baritone

Setting: the garden outside the Magistrate's house, Frankfurt, Germany, 1780

Synopsis: Sophie has just told Albert that her father wishes Charlotte and Albert to be married. He sings of his joy in finding that he will be marrying the girl he loves.

from Act III of the French opera Werther by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Edouard Blau

Role: Charlotte, daughter of the Magistrate, Sophie's sister

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano       Fach: lyric mezzo

Setting: the Magistrate's house at Christmas, Frankfurt, Germany, 1780

Synopsis: Charlotte has realized that she loves Werther but cannot ever marry him. She prays to help regain her courage, asking God to have pity on her and hear her plaintive cries.

from Act III of the French opera Werther by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Edouard Blau

Role: Charlotte, daughter of the Magistrate, Sophie's sister

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano       Fach: lyric mezzo

Setting: the Magistrate's house at Christmas, Frankfurt, Germany, 1780

Synopsis: Charlotte reads Werther's letters to her which describe his sorrow that they are apart and the happiness he will feel when they are together. His ardent declarations make her realize that she still loves him.

from Act III of the French opera Werther by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Edouard Blau

Role: Charlotte, daughter of the Magistrate, Sophie's sister

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano       Fach: lyric mezzo

Setting: the Magistrate's house at Christmas, Frankfurt, Germany, 1780

Synopsis: Charlotte confesses her sadness that she is not married to Werther. She breaks down in tears, saying that her heart is too empty for anything to fill it when he is away.

from Act II of the French opera Werther by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Edouard Blau

Role: Sophie, daughter of the Magistrate, Charlotte's sister

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: lyric soprano

Setting: in front of a church, Frankfurt, Germany, 1780

Synopsis: Sophie is in a good mood and tells of her happiness, saying that all the world is joyful with her.

from Act II of the French opera Werther by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Edouard Blau

Role: Werther, a poet, about 23 years old

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: in front of a church, Frankfurt, Germany, 1780

Synopsis: Werther has just seen Charlotte and Albert walk off together. They have been married for three months and seem to be happy. Werther is still in love with Charlotte, though, and relates his sorrow that he cannot ever marry Charlotte.

from Act II of the French opera Werther by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Edouard Blau

Role: Werther, a poet, about 23 years old

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: in front of a church, Frankfurt, Germany, 1780

Synopsis: Charlotte has told Werther that he must stay away from her until Christmas. Werther is saddened and prays for strength to follow her directive but also tells of the happiness he will feel when he sees her again.

from Act I of the French opera Werther by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Edouard Blau

Role: Werther, a poet, about 23 years old

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: the garden outside the Magistrate's house, Frankfurt, Germany, 1780

Synopsis: Werther has come to the Magistrate's house and is enjoying the fresh air, describing the beautiful surroundings in which he finds himself.

from Act III of the French opera Werther by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Edouard Blau

Role: Werther, a poet, about 23 years old

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: the Magistrate's house at Christmas, Frankfurt, Germany, 1780

Synopsis: Werther has come back to see Charlotte, his love who is married to another man. She shows him some of the books that they used to read together. One book in particular, a collection of Ossain's verses, sparks Werther to ask spring to cease its gentle caresses upon him, for sadness and grief is now his fate.