Roberto Alagna

WERTHER

Drame Lyrique en 4 actes.

Livret d’Edouard Blau, Paul Milliet et Georges Hartmann

Musique de JULES MASSENET (1842 – 1912)

Créé à Vienne le 16 février 1892

MAITRES D’OEUVRE

Direction musicale : Michel Plasson – Mise en scène et Décors : David Alagna

Cheffe de la Maîtrise : Julia Fortuna – Costumes : Louis Désiré

Lumières : Aldo Solbiati

Production : Teatro Regio Torino

DISTRIBUTION

Werther : Roberto Alagna – Charlotte : Elena Zhidkhova

Sophie : Elena de la Merced – Albert : Manuel Lanza

Le Bailli : Stefano Palatchi – Schmidt : Jonn Plazaola – Johann : Fernando Latorre

Brühlmann : MartinBarcelona – Käthchen : Susanna Cerro

Orchestre Symphonique de Bilbao – Choeurs Gaudeamus

Excerpt (translated from Spanish):

WERTHER (Bilbao - 17/01/2015) | REVIEW ABC (19/01/2015) | "ROBERTO ALAGNA IS WERTHER - GREAT TRIUMPH"

"Bilbao opera lovers had clearly kept in mind the interpretation of Werther's role by tenor Alfredo Kraus [...] Since Saturday, another name was registered, of right, at the so special pantheon of a very demanding place for a tenor: Roberto Alagna […]  He sang the role of Werther with a blend of involvement and maturity that are rarely heard today. Alagna is exposed throughout all the performance. He performed with an incredible vocal sincerity, a noble singing that shone with the fullness of his beautiful timbre, matching all the drama that the character requires, always bouncing back […] Today, a very few singers can measure up to him and bring as much, and as well, to the interpretation of one of the greatest archetypes of European Romanticism

WERTHER (Bilbao, 17/01/2015) | REVIEW by Nino Dentici in lavozenlaopera.com (22/01/2015) | « A GREAT WERTHER IN BILBAO »

Excerpt (translated from Spanish):

 "[Among this cast], Roberto Alagna, a tenor of far higher dimension than what we have had in the last while. A complete artist with a full and warm voice, and a beautiful vocal color. It is surprising to hear today, in a romantic role full of lyricism, that same voice that had thrilled us at Arriaga Theatre in "Pagliacci" many years ago. It was high time that we had the chance to hear a great tenor again. [...]

The staging is of classical style and beautiful. David Alagna has taken great care of lighting and costumes and offers us many scenes of a very fine aesthetics. As responsible of the actor-singers direction, he should also be credited with the expressive and theatrical performance of both the tenor and the mezzo. The same is true about maestro Plasson, thanks to his musical elegance, tempo choices and melancholic silences. »

 WERTHER (Bilbao - 17/01/2015 | REVIEW El Arte del Fuga (19/01/2015) | "TRIUMPH FOR ALAGNA AND PLASSON IN BILBAO"

"To give life to Charlotte's troubles of youth and passionate love, ABAO had the good idea to hire two personalities able to give its true value to Massenet's work: tenor Roberto Alagna and conductor Michel Plasson, a happy partnership for this so dark but so accomplished score.

 Alagna is in a period of extraordinary vocal maturity, he knows his character by heart , and is a resourceful actor, comfortable and in good shape, wholeheartedly committed. His Werther was exemplary, of the highest level, offering his best skills to his character in the opening with an outstanding "Aria in praise of Nature", at the moment of his suicide (certainly the work's culmination) and the overwhelming final intimate scene. And of course, also in the famous Ossian's aria which raised unanimous and generous applause.

A magnificent production by David and Frederico Alagna, originally created in Turin and already seen and appreciated in Seville. Respectful of the libretto and committed to play each scene as written, the staging reflects a credible and clear narration of the argument, in a spectacular setting, flattering costumes by Louis Désiré, and the lighting by Aldo Solbiati favoring an incisive and symbolic red color. The whole supported by a sober but precise and effective actor direction. Finally, a production primarily at the service of the work, rather than of the staging director's ego.

In the orchestral pit, the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra gave a more nuanced performance than ever, under the unerring conduction of a great professional like Michel Plasson, who demonstrates a charismatic authority that allows him to always master the orchestra and each of the musicians."

WERTHER (Bilbao,17/01/2015) | REVIEW (21/01/2015) by Frederik Verbeke for Eklektika.com | “ROBERTO ALAGNA OFFERS BILBAO A WERTHER OF ANTHOLOGY”

 Excerpt translated from French:

“Star of the evening, French tenor Roberto Alagna has delivered a brilliant performance, demonstrating his excellent vocal skills and a great impact on stage.

With his sumptuous voice, his magical timbre, his diction that does justice to the text, with impeccable phrasing and emphasis, Alagna is undoubtedly the ideal tenor to embody Werther.

 He feels and mirrors the character of Werther to the finest detail. With all the drama that this emblematic figure of romance requests, he managed to give a true theatrical life to this character, who "prevent him from sleeping" since his arrival in Bilbao.

 "Werther is a difficult role, a role that kills you on stage but also in life. Since I arrived in Bilbao, I am unable to sleep”, he said at a press conference in Bilbao," it's like a storm, a torture (...). The love that Werther feels for Charlotte is working on me very strongly ... Evening after evening, you can never interpret Werther in the same way ... You can not anticipate or prepare, you must live it" he added.

The staging, the kind we don’t make anymore these days because of its spectacular grandeur, aims for a both romantic and realistic expression of feelings. The director, David Alagna, chose to transpose the action from Goethe’s 18th century to Massenet’s time in order to provide a work’s reading closer to our time.

"We're all a little bit Werther," he told at the press conference. Both uncluttered and expressive, the staging spares no detail. Very realistic - with even a horse pulling a carriage and a hound appearing on stage - but also with a symbolic dimension through the lighting (red gradually invading the stage in a subtle way).

 The audience, usually disinclined to effusive demonstration, lengthily applauded and responded with a spectacular ovation

WERTHER (Bilbao) | REVIEW (22/01/2015) by Pol Avinyó for www.llegirencasdincendi.es | “A MODEL FOR THE ROLE, A VOICE AT ITS BEST, AN EXCELLENT WORK”

Excerpt (translated from Catalan):

"The performances that take place in Bilbao are of a very high standard, with two great names of the opera: French-Italian tenor Roberto Alagna, who became the model of the past fifteen years for the role, and venerable maestro Michel Plasson, a legendary conductor. The first run was a creation of anthology; his voice is at its best in a role that fits him like a glove. The famous aria "Pourquoi me réveiller" earned him a standing ovation of several minutes praising his excellent work in the interpretation of this tormented character. [...]

 The Bilbao Symphony Orchestra was very responsive to Plasson’s commands and the staging by David Alagna, classic in a realistic setting, met a great success, as do his stage direction of the singers and the costumes. [...] If you want to be deeply moved, don’t misss to attend one of these performances that will remain in memories of all the spectators."