Massenet - Werther / Hadley · von Otter · Upshaw · Frémeau · Caton · Théruel · Ragon · Lyon Opera · Nagano

Jules Massenet (Artist), Kent Nagano (Artist), Jerry Hadley (Artist), Anne Sofie von Otter (Artist), Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lyon (Artist), Dawn Upshaw (Artist), Frédéric Caton (Artist), Gérard Theruel (Artist), Gilles Ragon (Artist), Jean-Marie Frémeau (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 1997)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000005E5C
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #343,276 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #36 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Upshaw, Dawn
  • #61 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Otter, Anne Sophie von
  • #81 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Featured Performers, A-Z > U to Z

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Werther: Prelude

2. Werther: Act 1 - 'Assez ! Assez !' (Le Bailli, les enfants)

3. Werther: Act 1 - 'Bravo pour les enfants !' (Johann, Schmidt, les enfants, le Bailli, Sophie)

4. Werther: Act 1 - 'Alors, c'est bien ici la maison du Bailli ?' (Werther)

5. Werther: Act 1 - 'Jesus vient de naitre !' (Les enfants, Werther, Charlotte, le Bailli, Sophie)

6. Werther: Act 1 - 'Arrivez-donc, Bruhlmann !' (Le Bailli, Bruhlmann, Kathchen, Charlotte, Werther, Sophie)

7. Werther: Act 1 - 'Sophie !' (Albert, Sophie)

8. Werther: Act 1 - 'Il faut nous separer' (Charlotte, Werther)

9. Werther: Act 1 - 'Mais vous ne savez rien de moi' (Werther, Charlotte)

10. Werther: Act 1 - 'Reve ! Extase ! Bonheur !' (Werther, Charlotte, le Bailli)

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Werther: Act 3 - Prelude 'Werther! Werther!...' (Charlotte)

2. Werther: Act 3 - 'Je vous ecris de ma petite chambre' (Charlotte)

3. Werther: Act 3 - 'Bonjour, grande soeur!' (Sophie, Charlotte)

4. Werther: Act 3 - 'Ah, le rire est beni' (Sophie, Charlotte)

5. Werther: Act 3 - 'Va! Laisse couler mes larmes!' (Charlotte, Sophie)

6. Werther: Act 3 - 'Ah! mon courage m'abandonne' (Charlotte)

7. Werther: Act 3 - 'Oui, c'est moi!' (Werther, Charlotte)

8. Werther: Act 3 - 'Pourquoi me reveiller' (Werther, Charlotte)

9. Werther: Act 3 - 'Ah! Ah! Moi! Moi dans ses bras!' (Werther, Charlotte)

10. Werther: Act 3 - 'Werther est de retour' (Albert, Charlotte)

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Multiple Great Recordings of a Masterpiece, September 13, 2008

By 

Jason Husgen (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Massenet - Werther / Hadley · von Otter · Upshaw · Frémeau · Caton · Théruel · Ragon · Lyon Opera · Nagano (Audio CD)

There are multiple great recordings of "Werther," which is one of my favorite operas, and likely Massenet's greatest achievement. But I've concluded this is the recording I prefer. And, if you're only in the market for one recording, there is no doubt a perfect bet. It's the most recent of the notable recordings of "Werther," so the recording technology makes for a clean recording. The orchestral forces, under Nagano, are likely the most impressive of the notable recordings, and distinguish this recording the most from others. An additional distinguishing factor is Dawn Upshaw, a far better Sophie (the secondary female role) than you'll find in other recordings. Hadley and Von Otter bring a thoughtfulness to the main roles that is on par with Nagano's approach to the orchestral elements. And, in general, as compared to other recordings of "Werther," I would say this is the most "intellectual" reading. Thoughtful. Pure. Passionate, but controlled.

The "notable recordings" of "Werther" I'd recommend if you're in the market for comparing and seeing what suits your tastes are (1) the Gedda | de Los Angeles | Prêtre recording on EMI and (2) the Carreras | von Stade | Davis recording on Philips. Each has much to its credit. But I lean strongly toward this recording, in the end.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Recording of Very Emotional Opera, March 25, 2001

By 

Shuji Ogino (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Massenet - Werther / Hadley · von Otter · Upshaw · Frémeau · Caton · Théruel · Ragon · Lyon Opera · Nagano (Audio CD)

This opera is very well composed. Music is from very sweet to very serious and tragic. Overall it is very moody and emotional music. This recording is compelling, depicting mood of each scene very well. In the final scene, where Werther is dying, there is a singing of innocent children outside from the scene. This seems a little odd to me. Madama Butterfly used a similar scene. Singing of Jerry Hadley, Anne Sophie von Otter, and Dawn Upshaw are outstanding. Kent Nagano's conducting is also excellent.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't get any better than this, December 8, 1999

By 

LJW (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Massenet - Werther / Hadley · von Otter · Upshaw · Frémeau · Caton · Théruel · Ragon · Lyon Opera · Nagano (Audio CD)

If I could, I'd give this recording 10 stars. Anne Sofie von Otter and Jerry Hadley combine glorious singing with seething passion. The intensity of "Pourquoi me reveiller" would move a heart of stone. Dawn Upshaw's sweetly sung Charlotte is an added bonus. Nagano brings out every nuance in the score. Breathtaking and powerful. I love this recording. I don't see how the new set with Gheorghiu and Alagna could possibly compare.