The Paris Opera at the Bastille theatre will be offering Werther starting the evening of January 14, and runs for eight performances. This would be the Royal Opera House production of Mr. Charles Edwards design, so if you attended recent performances in London you will know the sets. Last year the Paris Opera heralded Mr Rolando Villazon’s return after a medical hiatus in the role of Werther from a different production which was filmed. Werther by Jules Massenet is a dark Romeo and Juliet story shot through with shades of Wuthering Heights. Werther this season will be sung by the perfectly suited elegant tenor vocal instrument of Mr. Jonas Kauffman, with Charlotte portrayed by Miss Sophie Koch. If you think it simply does not get much better then this, the Paris Opera made sure to engage the electric young baritone Mr. Ludovic Tezier to portray Albert. COMMANDOpera will illuminate the authority of Mr. Tezier below. The rest of the cast is rounded out with Le Bailli portrayed by Mr. Alain Vernhes, Schmidt by Mr. Andreas Jaggi, while Miss Anne Catherine Gillet is Sophie. The performances will be conducted by Mr. Michael Plasson. COMMANDOpera would highly recommend attendance of these performances if you happen to be in Paris. Mr. Kauffman, Miss Koch and Mr. Tezier in any roles separately are on the must do list. Together ? Drop everything, and change your plans as the gathering of artists of this calibre for staged performances doesn’t happen often.

Mr. Kauffman takes no prisoners with this rendition of ’Pourquoi me Reveiller’ from Werther.

For those who are unaware this is the synopsis of Werther:

Act 1. Garden of the Bailiff’s house
The bailiff, a widower, rehearses Christmas carols with his children. His friends, Johann and Schmidt, are surprised since it is July. The youngest daughter Sophie tells them that Charlotte is dressing for the ball at Wetzlar. They discuss the return of Albert, Charlotte’s fiancé, who has been away on a business trip, and the manner of sadness in Werther, a young poet. Werther approaches the house and is welcomed by the bailiff and the children’s singing. Charlotte apologizes for keeping him waiting, and they leave for the ball. Sophie persuades the bailiff to join Johann and Schmidt at the inn. Albert arrives unexpectedly hoping to surprise Charlotte. Hours later, Charlotte and Werther return. He declares his love for her. Hearing that Albert is back, she tells Werther that she promised her mother to marry Albert. Although devastated, he tells her to keep her promise.

Act 2. Village Square in Wetzlar
It is Sunday in the village square. Johann and Schmidt, who have been drinking, toast Albert and Charlotte’s marriage. It’s been three months since the wedding and Werther is tormented by his loss. Suspecting Werther’s feelings, Albert tells him he is grateful for his continued loyalty and friendship. Werther is torn. He hates to lie and act as if he has gotten over Charlotte, at the same time, he cannot bear the thought of leaving her. When Werther speaks to Charlotte of his love, she sends him away and tells him to return on Christmas Day. Sophie bursts into tears when Werther leaves.

Act 3. Albert’s House
It is Christmas Eve. Still in love with Werther, Charlotte continues to read his letters, and she’s afraid that he might not be able to return on Christmas. Even Sophie misses Werther. Charlotte prays for guidance. Werther appears. He realizes Charlotte loves him, but she flies from his embrace. Resolving to kill himself, Werther leaves Albert a letter asking to borrow his pistols for a long journey. When Albert returns from work, he asks Charlotte to hand the pistols over to the servant to send to Werther. It was too late for Charlotte to realize the reason for the request.

Act 4. Werther’s Apartment, Christmas Eve
Charlotte finds Werther in his apartment, dying. He begs her to forgive him. They kiss as he slowly dies. In the background, the children can be heard singing Christmas carols.