Werther

Drame lyrique in four acts and five tableaux.

Synopsis

Act one 

The Bailiff’s house, July 178... 

The Bailiff’s children are rehearsing a Christmas carol under his direction. His eldest daughter, Charlotte, has been caring for the family since her mother died. Werther, a young poet, comes to visit and falls under the spell of the house and its mistress. In the moonlight, Werther reveals his feelings to Charlotte. But she cannot return his love: she must marry Albert, in order to keep a promise she made to her mother on her deathbed. This news drives Werther to despair.

Act two

Wetzlar, September of the same year 

Charlotte has been married to Albert for three months. Werther sees her again at an anniversary celebration. Still dwelling on the pain of his impossible love, he remains deaf to the blandishments of Sophie, Charlotte’s younger sister. This more insistent expression of Werther’s passion frightens Charlotte, who dismisses him and gives him permission to return only at Christmas. When Werther departs hurriedly, Albert realises that this rival is in love with his wife, who is plunged into consternation.

Act three

Christmas Eve in the same year 

Charlotte rereads Werther’s passionate letters with emotion. One of them hints that if he does not appear at Christmas, it will be because he has taken his own life. But the poet does arrive, as troubled as ever. Revisiting the house with Charlotte, he comes upon the poem by Ossian he had begun to translate. When he reads the lines aloud, Charlotte betrays her love for him, yet is still obliged to ignore it. She declares she no longer wishes to see him. Werther then sends Albert a message announcing that he is ‘going on a long journey’ and asking to borrow his pistols. Though aware of the implications of this request, Albert orders Charlotte to give him the weapons.

Act four

First Tableau (orchestral)

The town of Wetzlar on the night before Christmas

Second Tableau

Werther’s study

Fearing that Werther will attempt suicide, Charlotte goes to his house to find him dying. She finally admits her love for him and kisses him. This confession calms the poet, who dies in his beloved’s arms, while the children are heard in the distance singing the Christmas carol they learnt the previous summer.