Werther
The production was the Vienna State Opera debut for the young Swiss conductor Philippe Jordan – the Argentinian tenor Marcelo Álvarez, took the title role. His Charlotte on this occasion was the young Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča. Her performances have been enthusiastically received and she has already been labelled as the new mezzo wonder. Staged by internationally sought-after Rumanian director, Andrei Serban, the apparently sentimental love story – normally presented in 18th century period costumes - reveals a study of personal relationships and a close observation of a woman, who comes of age too late. Serban’s aim was to rid the opera of the unjustified reputation of banality that clings to it despite its underlying tragic mood. By setting the production in the stiff, claustrophobic atmosphere of a small town in the 1950s, he aimed to make the audience more aware of its deeper levels of self-denial.
Cast
Marcelo Álvarez
as Werther
Elīna Garanča
as Charlotte
Adrian Eröd
as Albert
Ileana Tonca
as Sophie
Alfred Šramek
as Le Bailli
Peter Jelosits
as Schmidt
Markus Pelz
as Johann
Clemens Unterreiner
as Brühlmann
Maria Gusenleitner
as Käthchen
Philippe Jordan
as Self - Conductor
