The 2019-20 Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcast season continues with Massenet’s gripping romantic tragedy Werther, a performance from 2014 starring Jonas Kaufmann and Sophie Koch. While live performances are cancelled at the Met due to health risks for audiences and artists from the COVID-19 virus, Saturday matinee broadcasts continue with memorable pre-recorded performances from the Met archives.
German tenor Jonas Kaufmann sang the title role of Werther, a young poet tormented by an impossible love, in a broadcast that was also a highlight of the Met’s 2013-14 Live in HD season. French mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch made her company debut in this production as the dutiful Charlotte, who struggles to deny her attraction to Werther. Lisette Oropesa, a leading soprano at the Met this season, appeared here as Charlotte’s younger sister Sophie, and baritone David Bizic was Charlotte’s dependable husband Albert. Alain Altinoglu conducted the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Werther will be heard over Toll Brothers-Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28.
To view an English translation of the libretto, click here.