Filmed at the Vienna State Opera in 2005, Andrei Serban's production of Massenet's opera with a late 18th century setting pushes the action forwards to the 1950's,with the visuals exemplifying that decade with precision.With as much delicacy on display as naked passion,his(Alverez)morbid poet is outstandingly realised both vocally and dramatically. Together with Erod's dour Albert and Ileana Tonca's Sophie-clearly in love with Werther herself-the drama is set out with unusual clarity and realism.Philippe Jordan ensures that Massenet's pent-up emotion explodes exactly on cue,its expressive power providing impossible to resist.
Marcelo Álvarez
as Werther
Elina Garanca
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
Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper
as Self - Orchestra
Jules Massenet
as Self - Composer
