Massenet - Werther / Vargas · Kasarova · Trekel · Kotoski · Ch. Genz · Chiummo · Jurowski [Box set]

Jules Massenet (Artist), Wladimir Jurowski (Artist), Vesselina Kasarova (Artist), Ramon Vargas (Artist), Roman Trekel (Artist), Dawn Kotoski (Artist), Christoph Genz (Artist), Umberto Chiummo (Artist), Christopher Schaldenbrand (Artist), Arndis Halla (Artist), Frank Baer (Artist), Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (Artist), Knabenchor Berlin (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 6, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00000K4H0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,907 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #10 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Featured Performers, A-Z > U to Z > Vargas, Ramon

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Werther: Prelude - Vorspeil

2. Act One: Act One: Assez! Assez! M'ecoutera-t-on cette fois?

3. Act One: Act One: Bravo pour les enfants!

4. Act One: Act One: Alors, c'est bien ici la maison du bailli?

5. Act One: Act One: Jesus, vient de naitre!

6. Act One: Act One: Arrivez donc, Bruhlmann!

7. Act One: Act One: Sophie!...Albert!

8. Act One: Act One: Il faut nous separer

9. Act One: Act One: Mais vous ne savez rien de moi!

10. Act One: Act One: Reve! Extase! Bonheur!

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Werther: Prelue - Vorspiel

2. Werther: Je vous ecris de ma petitie chambre

3. Werther: Bonjour, grande soeur!

4. Werther: Ah! Le rire est beni!

5. Werther: Va! Laisse coulder mes larmes

6. Werther: Ah! Mon courage m'abandonne!

7. Werther: Oui, c'est moi! Je reviens

8. Werther: Toute mon ame est la!

9. Werther: Ah! Moi! Moi! Dans ses bras!

10. Werther: Werther est de retour

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WELL SUNG PERFORMANCE OF A GREAT OPERA, April 7, 2000

By 

Tracy L. Powell (Bangkok, Thailand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Massenet - Werther / Vargas · Kasarova · Trekel · Kotoski · Ch. Genz · Chiummo · Jurowski (Audio CD)

Jules Massenet's masterpiece Werther gets a performance that it deserves on this RCA set. The bottom line for this recording is that it is very well sung. Ramon Vargas, who is indeed a treasure, sings the poet the way he should be sung- that is full of melancholy passion. Werther is not a character that can be convincingly performed without a lot of thought from the singer. And Vargas obviously put a lot of effort into understanding his role. He puts much passion into his beautiful, lyric voice. The only critical statement that I can make about Vargas' performance is that the last words of the duet between Werther and Charlotte ("un autre son epoux!") is not sung with the, in my opinion, reckless abandon that is necessary to make it effective. He is just too casual with this line. And conductor Vladimir Jurowski is also too casual with the music ending Act One. But this is a minor point. Charlotte is sung by Vesselina Kasarova. Her beautiful mezzo is ideal for the character. Through her voice, one can easily understand why Werther is so madly in love. Some have criticized Kasarova for being too cold. There is some coldness in her portrayl of Charlotte, but she is a very confused girl. I think Kasarova more than convincingly sings her part. In the more minor roles Christopher Schaldenbrand is an excellent Albert. Also good is Dawn Kotoski as Sophie. Umberto Chiummo is adequate as Le Bailli, but this is a small and rather inconsequential role anyway.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Massenet's Werther, July 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Massenet - Werther / Vargas · Kasarova · Trekel · Kotoski · Ch. Genz · Chiummo · Jurowski (Audio CD)

Out of all the new tenors to grace the opera scene, Mexican Tenor Ramon Vargas is the most interesting. He has an incredible top that shows no limits, and his phrasing is reminiscent of the legendary Jussi Bjoerling. In this Werther recording Vargas interprets the tragic character perfectly. This is truly a must have for any opera lover. Vargas is the Domingo of the future. Kasarova is lovely as Charlotte. she has a wonderful top, and a strong voice. This recording simple a gem.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good version of a seldom heard work, October 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Massenet - Werther / Vargas · Kasarova · Trekel · Kotoski · Ch. Genz · Chiummo · Jurowski (Audio CD)

Of the three new tenors--Alagna, Cura, and Vargas---I far prefer the third. I first heard him on a recital disc of opera, then one of Spanish songs, and I was greatly impressed with his voice and delivery. Honestly I did not think that Werther was a role suited to him; and I cannot help but compare him with the slightly more elegant version with Gedda in the title role on an old EMI album. But on its own terms, this new RCA Victor set is just fine and has, of course, far better sound.

It would be instructive to hear the rival set with Alagna and his wife to see how these two compare in the same roles. Frankly what I have heard and seen of Alagna does not impress me at all, despite the acolades he has received in some quarters. Vargas has by far the more thrilling voice, but he will have to learn to modify it lest he become just another Del Monaco: all brilliance and forte with no depth of characterization at all.

Kasarova is fine as his beloved; but again she does not have quite the fraility that Victoria de los Angeles managed to include in her reading of Charlotte. Still in all, a fine performance of a role with a "letter scene" but no popular aria to make the audience keep their seats to hear.