Opera Explained
An Introduction to… MASSENET Werther
Written by Thomson Smillie
Narrated by David Timson
1 CD
12-page booklet
ISBN: 1-84379-100-5

Massenet's Werther combines a deeply tender story with music of beauty and eloquence. One act alone contains two of the greatest arias in the repertoire: the mezzo-soprano aria 'Va! Laisse couler mes larmes' and the tenor's 'Pourquoi me rèveiller'. In their sentimental power and melodic richness these arias encapsulate the qualities that account for the universal popularity of this great work.