Massenet - Werther / Alagna · Gheorghiu · Hampson · Petibon · Courtis · Fouchécourt · Frémeau · LSO · Pappano

Jules Massenet (Artist), Antonio Pappano (Artist), Roberto Alagna (Artist), Angela Gheorghiu (Artist), London Symphony Orchestra (Artist), Tiffin Children's Choir (Artist), Thomas Hampson (Artist), Patricia Petibon (Artist), Jean-Philippe Courtis (Artist), Jean-Paul Fouchécourt (Artist), Jean-Marie Frémeau (Artist), James Savage-Hanford (Artist), Pierre Dupont (Artist), Sophie Boulanger (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00001ZSVU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,223 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The modern discography of Massenet's Werther has long been dominated by the (currently out of print) Philips recording starring José Carreras and Frederica von Stade as well as the earlier EMI version with Alfredo Kraus and Tatiana Troyanos. But this EMI newcomer is within shouting distance of greatness, mainly due to conductor Antonio Pappano. Although any Werther succeeds or fails on the strength of its singers, the conductor is a crucial catalyst (on the Philips set, it's Colin Davis, while on EMI it's Michel Plasson) for maintaining the poetic intensity in a drama that can too easily seem like a naive case study in stalking. The Byronic title character essentially practices emotional blackmail on the married woman he loves by never hiding his suicidal tendencies, though one never thinks such mundane thoughts with tenor Roberto Alagna. Although his voice lacks the tenor bloom one might want, he's so at home with the role and the French language that he delivers a characterization full of imagination and immediacy, sometimes bordering on vocal genius. Soprano Angela Gheoghiu's vocal center is too high for this mezzo role, but she makes a vivid impression through the sheer force of her personality. Thomas Hampson gives vocal glamour but surprising dramatic restraint to the role of her husband, Albert. Although the sound quality is somewhat studio bound, Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra play as if it's a live performance. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REVE! EXTASE! BONHEUR!, December 8, 1999

By 

Joy Fleisig (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Massenet - Werther / Alagna · Gheorghiu · Hampson · Petibon · Courtis · Fouchécourt · Frémeau · LSO · Pappano (Audio CD)

For those of you who are not familiar with Werther or who do not speak French, I will translate that title for you: "Dream! Exctasy! Happiness!". It is what Werther feels as he gazes at his beloved under the moonlight, and what I felt listening to this stunning new recording.

Ever since Roberto Alagna recorded "Pourquoi me reveiller?" for his first recital CD, I have been eagerly awaiting him to sing the entire role, an appetite further whetted by his wonderful renditions of Don Carlos, Romeo and Hoffmann. Nothing, however, prepared me for just how fantastic he is here. The voice has such beauty, warmth and sweetness, and a dark color perfectly suited to Werther's melancholy. Whatever minor technical problems he might have had in the past are just a fleeting memory. His upper register has really solidified, and he manages not only a stupendous C at the end of the "Prodigal Son" aria (and he really seems to be praying!), but gorgeous dreamy pianissimi in the "Claire de lune" scene and especially the Act II duet with Thomas Hampson. Of course, his French is superb, and his diction is so good that if I spoke the language better I wouldn't even need the libretto. Most important, he truly lives the role, and projects every emotion and nuance of the text perfectly. He is the finest interpreter of the role since Georges Thill and Alfredo Kraus.

There may be those who prefer a mezzo to a soprano in this role, but Angela Gheorghiu is the latest in a long line of excellent soprano Charlottes. Her voice is like the most radiant and beautiful starry night you can imagine, perfect for the "Clair de lune". If the very bottom of her register is slightly hollow (and it's a beautiful lower register), it only adds to Charlotte's sadness and introspection. Her French is not quite as good as her husband's, not being a native, but is more than acceptable. Like Alagna, she makes every word and emotion in the text mean something, even if the intense fire and passion of the last 2 acts suit her slightly better than the more conversational first two. The Act III confrontation between Charlotte and Werther is absolutely hair raising.

Thomas Hampson is luxury casting as Albert and the sweet and delightful Patricia Petibon nearly steals the show as Sophie. The French supporting cast is idiomatic and wonderful. And bless Antonio Pappano who brings out all the beauty and drama of this magnificent score - he is a serious candidate for first Great Conductor of the 21st Century.

Werther is an opera that has done very well on records- almost all the recordings are worth hearing. But this is something truly special, and whets my appetite for more operas with this superb team. I just have three more words....FAUST! FAUST! FAUST!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best Werther recording since the 1930s, March 16, 2000

By 

J Scott Morrison (Middlebury VT, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Massenet - Werther / Alagna · Gheorghiu · Hampson · Petibon · Courtis · Fouchécourt · Frémeau · LSO · Pappano (Audio CD)

I will admit that I am "imprinted" on the Georges Thill/Ninon Vallin recording from the 1930s and no recording since then has even come close. But this recording does. Alagna (who is a native French speaker, in spite of the Italian name) has the diction and, more important, the style to sing poor Werther perfectly. Gheorghiu sings beautifully as well, and there is no problem with the tessitura, in spite of Charlotte generally being more comfortable for mezzos. Pappano is an up-and-coming conductor who does himself proud with this recording. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, December 10, 1999

By 

Brendan Collins (Cork,Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Massenet - Werther / Alagna · Gheorghiu · Hampson · Petibon · Courtis · Fouchécourt · Frémeau · LSO · Pappano (Audio CD)

This is an excellent recording .It has everything going for it.Wonderful sound,brilliant orchestra,conductor and singers.Roberto Alagna is perfect for the title role.This is the sort of stuff that he does best,his glorious lyric tenor conveying all of the suffering and pathos of poor Werther.His best work yet.Angela Gheorgiu is also excellent,especially in the Act three monologue.Hampson is his usual wonderful self even in this rather boring role(can this man do anything wrong?)Pappano picks the right speeds and dynamics and keeps the piece moving.Highly recommended!