(Photo: Michael Cooper) French operas of the nineteenth century were once among the most popular works in the repertoire, but in the last half century, they’ve fallen out of fashion. One reason is the loss of national singing schools, especially the French, in a now globalized opera world. Without an understanding of the French style, and without the required elegance {…}
The Opéra National de Paris has announced a cast change for its 2027 production of Massent’s “Werther.” The company said that Michael Spyres has withdrawn from the production and will be replaced French tenor Léo Vermot-Desroches, who will make his company debut. Vermot-Desroches will sing on Feb. 22 and 25, and then on March 2, 6, 9, and 12 alternating {…}
The Korea National Opera will kick off its 2026 season with a four-performance run of Massenet’s “Werther.” The showcase, which will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater from April 23 to 26, 2026, will feature Bumjoo Lee in the title role with Juyeon Jeong as Charlotte, Dongyong Noh as Albert, and Celine Mun as Sophie. Conductor Seok-won {…}
(Photo: Marco Borggreve) Mezzo-soprano Adèle Charvet is set to take on the role of Charlotte in “Werther” at the Salzburg Festival this summer. She takes over for Marianne Crebassa who withdrew from the two concert performances for “personal reasons.” Charvet, who made her Salzburg Festival debut in 2023 as Ascagne in the concert performance of Berlioz’s “Les Troyens,” joins a {…}
(Photo: Jean-Louis Fernandez) I first heard Samoan tenor Pene Pati a year ago in Munich in “La bohème,” an opera I’ve seen so often that I make every effort to avoid it. But this time was different; I was completely disarmed by this beautiful lyric tenor’s voice, his charm and his authenticity. Endowed with brilliant high notes, a beautiful timbre, {…}
ABAO-Bilbao opened 2026 with a production a Massenet’s masterpiece, “Werther,” with the Spanish tenor Celso Albelo stepping in after the sudden cancelation of the tenor cast for this role. The stage director Rosetta Cucchi presented a metaphorical production with showed hyperrealistic sets: like the living room at the first act or the library on the second act with symbolic elements {…}
The ABAO Bilbao Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “Werther.” The company said that Celso Albelo will sing the title role. He replaces Stephen Costello, who was originally announced. Albelo is a lyric tenor who has performed at the New York Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala Wiener Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Bolshoi Theatre, Royal Opera {…}
(Photo : Vincent PONTET) From March 21 to April 6, the Théâtre des Champs Elysées presents a new production of Jules Massenet’s “Werther,” staged by Christof Loy and directed by Silvia Aurea De Stefano. It’s probably no exaggeration to consider it one of the best of the first quarter of 2025, at least. In fact, it’s been a long time {…}
Houston Grand Opera is set to release a recording of “Werther” starring Matthew Polenzani and Isabel Leonard. The album will hit digital storefronts starting on Nov. 15, 2024. The Act one Prélude is currently available for streaming on Apple Music Classical, Spotify, and Amazon Music. The opera is conducted by Robert Spano and also stars Jasmine Habersham and Sean Michael {…}
(Photo credit: Brescia/Amisano – Teatro alla Scala) The Teatro alla Scala presented a new production of Jules Massenet’s “Werther,” with libretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann, in co-production with Théâtre des Champs-Élysées on June 19th, 2024 to an eager audience ready to experience tenor Benjamin Bernheim in the titular role. The last time “Werther” was presented at {…}
(Credit: Teatro alla Scala / Brescia – Amisano) The Teatro alla Scala is set to stream Massenet’s “Werther” on June 27, 2024. The company will showcase the opera on La Scala TV which will be conducted by Alain Altinoglu and directed by Christof Loy. Benjamin Bernheim leads a cast that includes Jean Sébastien Bou, Victoria Karkacheva, and Francesca Pia Vitale. {…}