Massenet: Werther (2016)

A live Royal Opera House recording of Jules Massenet's heartbreaking opera, directed for the screen by Benoît Jacquot.

Massenet: Werther - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Massenet: Werther
  • Release Year: 2016
  • Directed by: Benoît Jacquot
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama
  • Runtime: 2h 10m
  • Original Language: French
  • Spoken Languages: French
  • Release Date (Theatrical): June 27, 2016 (France)
  • Production Companies: Royal Opera House
  • Production Countries: United Kingdom

Massenet: Werther - Plot

Werther loves Charlotte, but she promised her mother on her deathbed that she would marry Albert. After the marriage Charlotte suggests that Werther should travel – but not forget her. Benoît Jacquot's production of Massenet's tragic opera explores the conflict between duty and our most passionate desires.

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Massenet: Werther - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Benoît Jacquot

Main Cast

  • Vittorio Grigolo
  • Joyce DiDonato
  • David Bizic
  • Heather Engebretson
  • Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Writers

  • Paul Milliet
  • Edouard Blau
  • Georges Hartmann

Massenet: Werther - FAQs

Where can you watch Massenet: Werther online?

Massenet: Werther is available to stream online. You can check current platform availability and regional viewing options through JustWatch, which aggregates streaming, rental, and purchase options across major services in your country.

Who are the lead performers in Massenet: Werther?

The lead roles are performed by tenor Vittorio Grigolo as Werther and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato as Charlotte. David Bizic plays Albert, Heather Engebretson appears as Sophie, and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House provides the musical accompaniment.

What is Massenet: Werther about?

Massenet: Werther follows a young poet consumed by his love for Charlotte, who is bound by a deathbed promise to her mother to marry Albert. After the marriage, Charlotte urges Werther to travel but not forget her, setting in motion a devastating collision between duty and desire.

Is Massenet: Werther based on a true story?

Massenet: Werther is based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's 1774 epistolary novel The Sorrows of Young Werther, which was itself inspired partly by real events in Goethe's life. The opera's libretto was adapted by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet, and Georges Hartmann.

Who directed the 2016 Royal Opera House production?

The 2016 Royal Opera House production of Massenet: Werther was directed by French filmmaker Benoît Jacquot, known for his work in both cinema and opera. His staging emphasizes the emotional intensity of the conflict between personal duty and passionate longing.

When was Massenet: Werther released?

Massenet: Werther was released on June 27, 2016, in France. The performance was captured live at the Royal Opera House in London and broadcast as part of the venue's acclaimed live cinema relay programme.

Who composed the music for Massenet: Werther?

The opera was composed by Jules Massenet, one of the most celebrated French opera composers of the late nineteenth century. Werther, first performed in 1892, remains one of his most emotionally powerful and frequently staged works in the operatic repertoire.

What are similar films to Massenet: Werther?

Viewers who enjoy Massenet: Werther may also appreciate Farinelli (1994), Amadeus (1984), Carmen in 3D (2011), Il Trovatore (2021), and Der fliegende Holländer (2022), all of which explore classical music, opera performance, or themes of passionate and tragic love.

More About Massenet: Werther

Explore further details about this production through the following resources.

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