Werther: Act 4 - 2nd tableau - 'Ah! ses yeux se ferment...' (Charlotte, Werther, les enfants)
This is a worthy reading of one of Massenet's best scores, thoughtfully conducted by Kent Nagano. Anne Sofie von Otter combines intelligence and a beautiful voice with passion and conviction in the complicated character ... more »of Charlotte. Tenor Jerry Hadley is occasionally afflicted by a musical-theater tendency to croon but expresses most of the torments of the title role, while Dawn Upshaw makes a better-rounded character of Sophie than the average soubrette. --Sarah Bryan Miller« less
This is a worthy reading of one of Massenet's best scores, thoughtfully conducted by Kent Nagano. Anne Sofie von Otter combines intelligence and a beautiful voice with passion and conviction in the complicated character of Charlotte. Tenor Jerry Hadley is occasionally afflicted by a musical-theater tendency to croon but expresses most of the torments of the title role, while Dawn Upshaw makes a better-rounded character of Sophie than the average soubrette. --Sarah Bryan Miller
CD Reviews
Doesn't get any better than this
Laura Fleming | East Providence, RI United States | 12/09/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If I could, I'd give this recording 10 stars. Anne Sofie von Otter and Jerry Hadley combine glorious singing with seething passion. The intensity of "Pourquoi me reveiller" would move a heart of stone. Dawn Upshaw's sweetly sung Charlotte is an added bonus. Nagano brings out every nuance in the score. Breathtaking and powerful. I love this recording. I don't see how the new set with Gheorghiu and Alagna could possibly compare."
Compelling Recording of Very Emotional Opera
Shuji Ogino | Boston, MA USA | 03/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This opera is very well composed. Music is from very sweet to very serious and tragic. Overall it is very moody and emotional music. This recording is compelling, depicting mood of each scene very well. In the final scene, where Werther is dying, there is a singing of innocent children outside from the scene. This seems a little odd to me. Madama Butterfly used a similar scene. Singing of Jerry Hadley, Anne Sophie von Otter, and Dawn Upshaw are outstanding. Kent Nagano's conducting is also excellent."
One of Multiple Great Recordings of a Masterpiece
Jason Husgen | New York, NY | 09/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are multiple great recordings of "Werther," which is one of my favorite operas, and likely Massenet's greatest achievement. But I've concluded this is the recording I prefer. And, if you're only in the market for one recording, there is no doubt is a good bet. It's the most recent of the notable recordings of "Werther," so the recording technology makes for a clean recording. The orchestral forces, under Nagano, are likely the most impressive of the notable recordings, and distinguish this recording the most from others. An additional distinguishing factor is Dawn Upshaw, a far better Sophie (the secondary female role) than you'll find in other recordings. Hadley and Von Otter bring a thoughtfulness to the main roles that is on par with Nagano's approach to the orchestral music. And, in general, as compared to other recordings of "Werther," I would say this is the most "intellectual" reading. Thoughtful. Pure. Passionate, but controlled.
The "notable recordings" of "Werther" I'd recommend if you're in the market for comparing and seeing what suits your tastes are (1) the Prêtre / Gedda / de Los Angeles recording on EMI and (2) the Davis / Carreras / Von Stade recording on Philips. Each has much to its credit. I just ended up leaning toward this recording, in the end."
I most follow the other reviews
Andreas Wurmann | Switzerland | 05/25/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard this cd's again this day and i found it also outstanding beautifully sung from everybody. Von Otter and Hadley do a great job!"
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1