CCM Presents Adventurous New Adaptation of Jules Massenet's Tragic Opera 'Werther'

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) 2006-07 Mainstage Series concludes with an adventurous new adaptation of Jules Massenet's operatic tale of love, heartache and sacrifice,

Werther

. Sung in French with English supertitles,

Werther

features conductor Mark Gibson leading the CCM Philharmonia Orchestra, with renowned stage director Nicholas Muni directing. Performances take place May 10-13 in CCM's Corbett Auditorium.

Based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's 1774 novel The Sorrows of Young Werther, Werther tells the story of a gloomy but poised young writer who falls for a woman betrothed to another. Heartbroken, the young man must decide whether he can live without his beloved. French composer Massenet's lush music propels the timeless tragedy, conveying the dire consequences of unrealized desire.

This classic opera, widely considered Massenet's masterpiece, has been reinvented by Muni, who has worked closely with the cast and creative team to transform the work into one reflective of current social and artistic trends.

"The art form of opera is undergoing radical change," said Muni, "and we wanted to explore a few key aspects in which change is already occurring." As a result, Muni's adaptation has been trimmed to 105 minutes and is performed without intermission -- much like the experience of seeing a feature film.

The setting of the opera has also been modified and moved to the current day. Werther, a poet in Goethe's novel, now lives in contemporary society as a blogger, immersed in online communication yet isolated from the world. He escapes into a fantasy where he meets his soul mate, Charlotte, and as the story unfolds, the line between Werther's imagination and reality becomes blurred.

To further convey Werther's fantasy world, the production incorporates the extensive use of video and projections. Explained Muni, "We have explored a method of storytelling that is complex, abstract and layered. We are using projected imagery in a slightly different way, assigning to it the function of expressing subtext in addition to providing mood, texture and narrative information."

The original Werther premiered in February 1892 at the Hofoper in Vienna. Featuring noted arias such as Werther's "O Nature, pleine de grace" and Charlotte's "Va, laisse couler mes larmes," Werther continues to be one of Massenet's most performed operas.

Please see below or visit www.ccm.uc.edu for complete ticket and performance information.
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University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Mainstage Opera Series
WERTHER

Composed by Jules Massenet
Libretto by Edouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann

Mark Gibson, conductor
Nicholas Muni, director

A contemporary adaptation of Werther by Jules Massenet, based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's popular 1774 novel, The Sorrows of Young Werther. A young man, Werther, confronts the futility of life through a fantasy in which he meets his soul mate, Charlotte, only to discover she is promised to another man. This irreconcilable situation leads the lovers to seek their union in death.

Performance Dates:
May 10-13, 2007
* May 10 (Thurs.): 8 p.m. 
* May 11 (Fri.) 8 p.m.
* May 12 (Sat.) 8 pm.
* May 13 (Sun.): 2:30 p.m.

Location:
Corbett Auditorium
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Tickets:
$15-27 -- To order, call 513-556-4183 or visit www.ccm.uc.edu.

Additional Information:
www.ccm.uc.edu