Massenet - Werther List Price: $24.99 Our Price: $12.82 Your Save: $ 12.17 ( 49% ) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Manufacturer: Image Entertainment Starring: Brigitte Fassbinder, Peter Dvorsky Directed By: Petr Weigl Average Customer Rating: Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD EAN: 0014381565720 Format: Classical Label: Image Entertainment Number Of Discs: 1 Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Image Entertainment Region Code: 1 Release Date: 1999-08-24 Running Time: 101 Studio: Image Entertainment Theatrical Release Date: 1988 Related Items Massenet - Werther / Marcelo Alvarez, Elina Garanca, Adrian Erod, Ileana Tonca, Peter Jelosits, Philippe Jordan, Vienna Opera Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Fleming, Vargas, Hvorostovsky, Gergiev, Carsen [Metropolitan Opera 2007] Jules Massenet - Manon / Dessay, Villazon, Ramey, Lanza, Henry, Perez, McVicar (Gran Teatre del Liceu 2007) Richard Wagner - Der fliegende Holländer Puccini: La Boheme (Live from the Met) Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: An unjustly neglected music drama in full force Comment: Thanks heaven the opera is presented close to its original time period. Singers are first rate and even good looking (which is important here). The music is close to the masterpiece rank. Get it and emjoy! G. Koves Customer Rating: Summary: Dvorsky's Werther Comment: There is one reason why I have to rate 5 stars - the Peter Dvorsky as Werther. In my opinion he was the best Werther ever. Werther is a role of great passion and so Peter is. He is glorious voice of great power, in spite of he nothing lost of his emotianl feelings, wonderful colours and exactly phrasing. Absolutely inimitable is his wonderful shining color of his voice, which makes him perfect. Every time I watch this video I am amazed of him. Every time I hear him I feel physicaly need of standing ovations.. I think the main hero of the opera Werther is the character of Werther. Therefore I don't understand why on the title of DVD is noted only Brigite Fasbaender (even though she is also very good). It's a pity that Peter Dvorsky is not well known wolrldwide. In the past he made a wonderful creations of Rodolfo, Nemorino, Faust (in which I consider him one of the best ever as well) , but nobody knows him. I still have this recording on VHS , but now I am going to buy the DVD. Customer Rating: Summary: Not Quite Massenet's "Werther" Comment: The singers are splendid and the chosen settings are fine, but at least one-sixth of the opera is missing. The focus on the lovers is understandable in giving viewers the most memorable musical moments in the opera, but it violates the dramatic balance of the original opera. The love of Charlotte and Werher needs to be seen in the context of a small-city milieu (Wetzlar, Germany) where people drink, play cards, and celebrate 50th wedding anniversaries. We are shown the church and the townsfolk going and coming from the service, but we don't see the old pastor and wife who are being feted for their years of marriage. That's an important foil to the disfunctional marriage of Charlotte and Albert and to the cause of that marriage: Charlotte's promise to her dying mother to marry Albert. It's also a foil to the foolish passion of Werther and the trouble that he causes for Charlotte and Albert. In addition, the balance of the Christmas carol near the beginning of Act I (a rehearsal in June) with the performance a year and a half later when Werther lies dying of a bullet in his gut is lost because the children don't have their June rehearsal. No wonder that some of these reviewers think the opera slow-moving. Paradoxically, the opera would seem more lively if more lively scenes were included, even if the opera ran its full length. It must also be said that, contrary to the unhistoric view of one reviewer, Massenet's opera was not a last gasp of romantic opera before Puccini, but a forward step away from the traditional 5-act French opera with its "de rigeur" ballet and 3-4 hour length. Massenet is looking forward to "Boheme" and "Butterfly," not back to "Faust" and "Le Prophete," for example. Nonetheless, I love what is here in the Weigl film and see it in light of my knowledge of the rest of the opera. (Secondary complaints: (1) The costumes are 19th century, but the action is 18th century. (2) Werther fails to wear the costume specified by Goethe: blue jacket and yellow-buff trousers. That costume became favored by young would-be Werthers after the 1774 publication of the novel.) Customer Rating: Summary: Hot Romantic Opera Comment: When I first saw this 1980's film it was as a short clip on the television channel Classic Arts Showcase, which runs 24 hrs a day and is free of charge on cable. I was breathtaken. The scene was Werther and Charlotte's encounter at the Covent (at least it looked like the interior of a convent). They sing a duet together and the music swells dramatically, as does their voices, ending climatically as they fall into each other's arms. Never before have I seen more passion in any opera, or in real life for that matter. This is a reason why lots of hopeless romantics flock to the opera. The opera is romantic. In the case of this DVD, we find the singers in top form and enough room in the film to act. They are reminiscent of the Rosi "Carmen" starring Placido Domingo and Julia Migenes Johnson as Don Jose and Carmen. Birgitte Fassbaender, formerly a mezzo soprano, takes on the lyric and dramatic role of Charlotte who struggles with feelings of love versus duty. Peter Dvorsky as the tenor hero Werther is absolutely the best. His voice and dramatic performance conveys the right depth and ardor. Jules Massenet drew this story from the novel "The Sorrows Of Young Werther" a quintessentially romantic plot in its day. Massenet knew that putting this story to opera would allow him to compose music that requires all the Romantic Era conventions- fate motifs, romantic melodies and idylls, dramatic conflict, crescendo, pumped-up orchestra and hushed pianissimo. Werther, madly in love with Charlotte, is driven to suicide because Charlotte decides to foresake his love. Suicide was a common theme in 19th century Romantic literature, plays and opera. Ophelia's Suicide in Hamlet was a darling of the day, as was the double suicides of Romeo and Juliet. Intense passions, romantic tragedy, thwarted love, beautiful scenery and excellent music makes this film one of the best. Customer Rating: Summary: Werther: A Valentine's Day Opera Comment: Opera is a romantic medium. For Valentine's, why don't you attend a romantic opera or listen to one on you're sound system. Many operas of the 19th century were romantic tragedies (though there were the ocassional happy ending for the lovers) whose music and arias were stuffed with romance garaunteed to make you cry. Werther is one such opera. This DVD film stars Birgitte Fassbaender as Charlotte and Peter Dvorsky as Werther, the title hero. The opera is great to hear and is enjoyable watching the locations and scenery. Despite what one reviewer said it is passionate enough. The French composer Jules Massenet was quite good at composing this type of opera. The Romantic Movemement inspired literature and art. Suddenly, emotions, passions and feelings were all that mattered to artists and writers. Werther was drawn from the novel "The Sorrows Of Young Werther". It tells of the frustrated love of a young man Werther for Charlotte. I forget some of the plot but I believe it ends in some death. It's a great opera to hear, especially because the French style is very romantic and lyric. If you hear this opera and get into Jules Massenet, check out recordings or films of Manon and of Thais. The best interpretor of Manon is Beverly Sills. As for the singers in this film, they are so good they can come off as actors as well as singers. They are a lot like Placido Domingo and Teresa Stratas in the Zefferelli La Traviata film. There is enough room for Peter Dvorsky to act as well as for Birgit Fassbaender. Fasbaender delivers a beautiful performance. She is both a mezzo soprano as well as soprano of higher vocal register. Her beauty and charm makes her the perfect heroine. Dvorsky is a lot like Domingo, too. Anyways, get this opera and enjoy it on the day dedicated to love, or any other day you feel romantic. Editorial Reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: An unjustly neglected music drama in full force Comment: Thanks heaven the opera is presented close to its original time period. Singers are first rate and even good looking (which is important here). The music is close to the masterpiece rank. Get it and emjoy! G. Koves Customer Rating: Summary: Dvorsky's Werther Comment: There is one reason why I have to rate 5 stars - the Peter Dvorsky as Werther. In my opinion he was the best Werther ever. Werther is a role of great passion and so Peter is. He is glorious voice of great power, in spite of he nothing lost of his emotianl feelings, wonderful colours and exactly phrasing. Absolutely inimitable is his wonderful shining color of his voice, which makes him perfect. Every time I watch this video I am amazed of him. Every time I hear him I feel physicaly need of standing ovations.. I think the main hero of the opera Werther is the character of Werther. Therefore I don't understand why on the title of DVD is noted only Brigite Fasbaender (even though she is also very good). It's a pity that Peter Dvorsky is not well known wolrldwide. In the past he made a wonderful creations of Rodolfo, Nemorino, Faust (in which I consider him one of the best ever as well) , but nobody knows him. I still have this recording on VHS , but now I am going to buy the DVD. Customer Rating: Summary: Not Quite Massenet's "Werther" Comment: The singers are splendid and the chosen settings are fine, but at least one-sixth of the opera is missing. The focus on the lovers is understandable in giving viewers the most memorable musical moments in the opera, but it violates the dramatic balance of the original opera. The love of Charlotte and Werher needs to be seen in the context of a small-city milieu (Wetzlar, Germany) where people drink, play cards, and celebrate 50th wedding anniversaries. We are shown the church and the townsfolk going and coming from the service, but we don't see the old pastor and wife who are being feted for their years of marriage. That's an important foil to the disfunctional marriage of Charlotte and Albert and to the cause of that marriage: Charlotte's promise to her dying mother to marry Albert. It's also a foil to the foolish passion of Werther and the trouble that he causes for Charlotte and Albert. In addition, the balance of the Christmas carol near the beginning of Act I (a rehearsal in June) with the performance a year and a half later when Werther lies dying of a bullet in his gut is lost because the children don't have their June rehearsal. No wonder that some of these reviewers think the opera slow-moving. Paradoxically, the opera would seem more lively if more lively scenes were included, even if the opera ran its full length. It must also be said that, contrary to the unhistoric view of one reviewer, Massenet's opera was not a last gasp of romantic opera before Puccini, but a forward step away from the traditional 5-act French opera with its "de rigeur" ballet and 3-4 hour length. Massenet is looking forward to "Boheme" and "Butterfly," not back to "Faust" and "Le Prophete," for example. Nonetheless, I love what is here in the Weigl film and see it in light of my knowledge of the rest of the opera. (Secondary complaints: (1) The costumes are 19th century, but the action is 18th century. (2) Werther fails to wear the costume specified by Goethe: blue jacket and yellow-buff trousers. That costume became favored by young would-be Werthers after the 1774 publication of the novel.) Customer Rating: Summary: Hot Romantic Opera Comment: When I first saw this 1980's film it was as a short clip on the television channel Classic Arts Showcase, which runs 24 hrs a day and is free of charge on cable. I was breathtaken. The scene was Werther and Charlotte's encounter at the Covent (at least it looked like the interior of a convent). They sing a duet together and the music swells dramatically, as does their voices, ending climatically as they fall into each other's arms. Never before have I seen more passion in any opera, or in real life for that matter. This is a reason why lots of hopeless romantics flock to the opera. The opera is romantic. In the case of this DVD, we find the singers in top form and enough room in the film to act. They are reminiscent of the Rosi "Carmen" starring Placido Domingo and Julia Migenes Johnson as Don Jose and Carmen. Birgitte Fassbaender, formerly a mezzo soprano, takes on the lyric and dramatic role of Charlotte who struggles with feelings of love versus duty. Peter Dvorsky as the tenor hero Werther is absolutely the best. His voice and dramatic performance conveys the right depth and ardor. Jules Massenet drew this story from the novel "The Sorrows Of Young Werther" a quintessentially romantic plot in its day. Massenet knew that putting this story to opera would allow him to compose music that requires all the Romantic Era conventions- fate motifs, romantic melodies and idylls, dramatic conflict, crescendo, pumped-up orchestra and hushed pianissimo. Werther, madly in love with Charlotte, is driven to suicide because Charlotte decides to foresake his love. Suicide was a common theme in 19th century Romantic literature, plays and opera. Ophelia's Suicide in Hamlet was a darling of the day, as was the double suicides of Romeo and Juliet. Intense passions, romantic tragedy, thwarted love, beautiful scenery and excellent music makes this film one of the best. Customer Rating: Summary: Werther: A Valentine's Day Opera Comment: Opera is a romantic medium. For Valentine's, why don't you attend a romantic opera or listen to one on you're sound system. Many operas of the 19th century were romantic tragedies (though there were the ocassional happy ending for the lovers) whose music and arias were stuffed with romance garaunteed to make you cry. Werther is one such opera. This DVD film stars Birgitte Fassbaender as Charlotte and Peter Dvorsky as Werther, the title hero. The opera is great to hear and is enjoyable watching the locations and scenery. Despite what one reviewer said it is passionate enough. The French composer Jules Massenet was quite good at composing this type of opera. The Romantic Movemement inspired literature and art. Suddenly, emotions, passions and feelings were all that mattered to artists and writers. Werther was drawn from the novel "The Sorrows Of Young Werther". It tells of the frustrated love of a young man Werther for Charlotte. I forget some of the plot but I believe it ends in some death. It's a great opera to hear, especially because the French style is very romantic and lyric. If you hear this opera and get into Jules Massenet, check out recordings or films of Manon and of Thais. The best interpretor of Manon is Beverly Sills. As for the singers in this film, they are so good they can come off as actors as well as singers. They are a lot like Placido Domingo and Teresa Stratas in the Zefferelli La Traviata film. There is enough room for Peter Dvorsky to act as well as for Birgit Fassbaender. Fasbaender delivers a beautiful performance. She is both a mezzo soprano as well as soprano of higher vocal register. Her beauty and charm makes her the perfect heroine. Dvorsky is a lot like Domingo, too. Anyways, get this opera and enjoy it on the day dedicated to love, or any other day you feel romantic. Jules Massanet's lyrical opera is transformed into a superb film production by Petr Weigl, shot on location in Prague, with music conducted by Libor Pesek. First produced by the Vienna Opera in February 1892, "Werther" rapidly confirmed Massanet's position on the French opera scene and achieved enormous popularity outside France, notably in Italy, America and England. The tragic story tells of Werther's intense passion for Charlotte, who has married his best friend, Albert, fulfilling a pledge to her now deceased mother. But Werther's letters of love bring Charlotte to his side when he promises to take his own life. Ask about this healthcare product "Massenet - Werther" in the forum Give review on this healthcare product "Massenet - Werther" in the forum Search related information in the forum