Irish National Opera

presents

Massenet

WERTHER

“This piece has everything”  mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato

A masterly and nuanced portrayal of hopeless love.

Werther, the young poet. Charlotte, the woman he loves. And his best friend Albert, to whom she is engaged. Massenet transforms the triangle of Goethe’s hugely influential novel of impossible love into a hauntingly gentle and lyrical opera that sensitively traces the unfolding of a hopeless passion. So hopeless that, when Charlotte’s hot and cold feelings cause her to turn away from Werther yet again, tragedy cannot be averted.

Italian tenor Paride Cataldo sings the title role, with Cork mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan, who starred in INO’s Olivier Award winning production of Bajazet (2022), as Charlotte. Full cast includes baritone Charles Rice as Albert, soprano Sarah Shine as Sophie and baritone Wyn Pencarreg as Le Bailli, with tenor Eamonn Mulhall as Schmidt and baritone Owen Gilhooly-Miles as Johann. Philipp Pointner conducts the Irish National Opera orchestra.

Werther is directed by Sophie Motley, designed by Sarah Bacon, with lighting design by Sarah Jane Shiels and features a new orchestration by Andrew Synnott.

Werther is sung in French with English surtitles.

Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes including one interval.

Werther… In Focus

Delve deeper into the background of opera with Irish National Opera’s free In Focus series.

Werther…In Focus takes a closer look at Massenet’s Werther, exploring the music and the context in which it was created. In this free event, get the chance to meet key artists involved in producing the opera and hear about their process in realising the work.

 Werther…In Focus will last approximately 30 mins and takes place one hour prior to live performances of the opera. It will be hosted by the Irish National Opera team, in conversation with a key member of the Werther artistic team.

ADMISSION

Tickets are free to ticket-holders for Werther at the Theatre Royal on 9^th May.

 However availabilty is limited and booking is required.

Please contact box office on 051 874402 or email boxoffice@theatreroyal.ie