Opera - Werther
JULES MASSENET
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
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
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
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
1.
[Prelude:] Charlotte and Werther
2:59
2.
'Werther! . . . Ah, Werther!'
1:57
3.
'''Here in my room I'm writing you this letter'''
1:37
4.
'''The children's happy cries'''
3:36
5.
'Charlotte, good-day'
1:32
6.
'Ah! Yes, laughter's a gift'
1:57
7.
'Ah! Now let my tears flow freely'
2:19
8.
'Now, Charlotte, I'm sure, you should not be alone'
2:09
9.
'Ah! I am losing all my courage!'
1:52
11.
'''Why rouse me from my sleep . . .?'
2:04
13.
'Ah! I! I! In his arm!'
2:42
14.
'So Werther has returned . . .'
3:15
15.
Scene 1: Christmas Eve
4:12
16.
'Werther! Ah, Werther!'
4:33
17.
'In this last hour of life I am truly bless'd'
4:40
18.
'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!'
1:40
19.
'Ah! His eyes are closing'
0:59
20.
' . . . yes, but hear what I ask'
3:38
Solo: John Brecknock tenor - Werther
Solo: Patrick Wheatley baritone - Albert
Solo: Harold Blackburn bass - The Magistrate
Solo: Dame Janet Baker mezzo-soprano - Charlotte
Solo: Joy Roberts soprano - Sophie
Solo: Terry Jenkins tenor - Schmidt
Solo: Nigel Waugh baritone - Brühlmann
Solo: Janice Andrew mezzo-soprano - Käthchen
Choral: English National Opera Chorus
Orchestra: English National Opera Orchestra
Conductor: Sir Charles Mackerras