Massenet - Werther / Vargas · Kasarova · Trekel · Kotoski · Ch. Genz · Chiummo · Jurowski [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This new recording of Massenet's Werther makes you glad that all these talents are on the opera scene but also leaves you wondering why they're all on this particular recording. Though French operas benefit from a light touch, this one about a precious young poet who falls hopelessly in love with a woman promised to another is a study in suicidal tendencies and thus must achieve a kind of dramatic force far different than its leading singers--both bel canto specialists--are used to delivering. So while there's no wrong reason to buy a recording by mezzo-soprano Vesselina Kasarova, one wishes she would've waited another five years for her voice to darken before singing Charlotte. In the title role, Ramon Vargas, isn't about to wait for his voice to grow into Werther: He pushes, sometimes hard, resulting in a stressed, vibrato-laden sound that would be more at home with the virile Cavaradossi in Tosca than with the more wistful poet of this opera. And neither sings French like a native. However, Christopher Schaldenbrand (Charlotte's husband Albert) is much more dramatically present than Thomas Hampson on the new EMI recording (though the latter recording as a whole remains the superior choice of these two new interpretations). And though the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin sounds as though it needs to live with the score more, the up-and-coming Russian conductor Vladimir Jurowski has a theatricality that suggests he's born for the world of opera. --David Patrick Stearns

Massenet - Werther / Vargas · Kasarova · Trekel · Kotoski · Ch. Genz · Chiummo · Jurowski, Music, Jules Massenet, Wladimir Jurowski, Vesselina Kasarova, Ramon Vargas, Roman Trekel, Dawn Kotoski, Christoph Genz, Umberto Chiummo, Christopher Schaldenbrand, Arndis Halla, Frank Baer, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Knabenchor Berlin, Classical, French Romantic Opera, Opera, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio, Opera/Operetta
Massenet - Werther / Vargas · Kasarova · Trekel · Kotoski · Ch. Genz · Chiummo · Jurowski
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Massenet's Werther
  • WELL SUNG PERFORMANCE OF A GREAT OPERA
  • A very good version of a seldom heard work
  • A very good version of a seldom heard work
 Massenet - Werther / Vargas · Kasarova · Trekel · Kotoski · Ch. Genz · Chiummo · Jurowski
Jules Massenet , Wladimir Jurowski , Vesselina Kasarova , Ramon Vargas , Roman Trekel , Dawn Kotoski , Christoph Genz , Umberto Chiummo , Christopher Schaldenbrand , Arndis Halla , Frank Baer , Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin , and Knabenchor Berlin
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Donizetti - La Favorite / Kasarova, Vargas, Viotti

ASIN: B00000K4H0
Release Date: 1999-07-06

Tracks:

  1. Werther: Prelude - Vorspeil
  2. Act One: Act One: Assez! Assez! M'ecoutera-t-on cette fois?
  3. Act One: Act One: Bravo pour les enfants!
  4. Act One: Act One: Alors, c'est bien ici la maison du bailli?
  5. Act One: Act One: Jesus, vient de naitre!
  6. Act One: Act One: Arrivez donc, Bruhlmann!
  7. Act One: Act One: Sophie!...Albert!
  8. Act One: Act One: Il faut nous separer
  9. Act One: Act One: Mais vous ne savez rien de moi!
  10. Act One: Act One: Reve! Extase! Bonheur!
  11. Werther: Act Two: Prelude - Vorspiel
  12. Werther: Act Two: Vivat Bacchus! Semper vivat!
  13. Werther: Act Two: Trois mois! Voici trois mois que nous sommes unis!
  14. Werther: Act Two: Un autre est son epoux!
  15. Werther: Act Two: Au bonheur dont mon ame est pleine
  16. Werther: Act Two: Frere, voyez le beau bouquet!
  17. Werther: Act Two: Ai-je dit vrai?
  18. Werther: Act Two: Oui, ce qu'elle m'ordonne - Mais venez donc! Le cortege s'approche

Tracks:

  1. Werther: Prelue - Vorspiel
  2. Werther: Je vous ecris de ma petitie chambre
  3. Werther: Bonjour, grande soeur!
  4. Werther: Ah! Le rire est beni!
  5. Werther: Va! Laisse coulder mes larmes
  6. Werther: Ah! Mon courage m'abandonne!
  7. Werther: Oui, c'est moi! Je reviens
  8. Werther: Toute mon ame est la!
  9. Werther: Ah! Moi! Moi! Dans ses bras!
  10. Werther: Werther est de retour
  11. Werther: Symphonie - Sinfonie - La Nuite de Noel
  12. Werther: Werther!..Rien!
  13. Werther: Et moi, Werther, et moi je t'aime!
  14. Werther: Noel! Noel! Noel!
  15. Werther: Ah! Ses yeux se ferment

Amazon.com

This new recording of Massenet's Werther makes you glad that all these talents are on the opera scene but also leaves you wondering why they're all on this particular recording. Though French operas benefit from a light touch, this one about a precious young poet who falls hopelessly in love with a woman promised to another is a study in suicidal tendencies and thus must achieve a kind of dramatic force far different than its leading singers--both bel canto specialists--are used to delivering. So while there's no wrong reason to buy a recording by mezzo-soprano Vesselina Kasarova, one wishes she would've waited another five years for her voice to darken before singing Charlotte. In the title role, Ramon Vargas, isn't about to wait for his voice to grow into Werther: He pushes, sometimes hard, resulting in a stressed, vibrato-laden sound that would be more at home with the virile Cavaradossi in Tosca than with the more wistful poet of this opera. And neither sings French like a native. However, Christopher Schaldenbrand (Charlotte's husband Albert) is much more dramatically present than Thomas Hampson on the new EMI recording (though the latter recording as a whole remains the superior choice of these two new interpretations). And though the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin sounds as though it needs to live with the score more, the up-and-coming Russian conductor Vladimir Jurowski has a theatricality that suggests he's born for the world of opera. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Massenet's Werther.......2001-07-20

Out of all the new tenors to grace the opera scene, Mexican Tenor Ramon Vargas is the most interesting. He has an incredible top that shows no limits, and his phrasing is reminiscent of the legendary Jussi Bjoerling. In this Werther recording Vargas interprets the tragic character perfectly. This is truly a must have for any opera lover. Vargas is the Domingo of the future. Kasarova is lovely as Charlotte. she has a wonderful top, and a strong voice. This recording simple a gem.

5 out of 5 stars WELL SUNG PERFORMANCE OF A GREAT OPERA.......2000-04-08

Jules Massenet's masterpiece Werther gets a performance that it deserves on this RCA set. The bottom line for this recording is that it is very well sung. Ramon Vargas, who is indeed a treasure, sings the poet the way he should be sung- that is full of melancholy passion. Werther is not a character that can be convincingly performed without a lot of thought from the singer. And Vargas obviously put a lot of effort into understanding his role. He puts much passion into his beautiful, lyric voice. The only critical statement that I can make about Vargas' performance is that the last words of the duet between Werther and Charlotte ("un autre son epoux!") is not sung with the, in my opinion, reckless abandon that is necessary to make it effective. He is just too casual with this line. And conductor Vladimir Jurowski is also too casual with the music ending Act One. But this is a minor point. Charlotte is sung by Vesselina Kasarova. Her beautiful mezzo is ideal for the character. Through her voice, one can easily understand why Werther is so madly in love. Some have criticized Kasarova for being too cold. There is some coldness in her portrayl of Charlotte, but she is a very confused girl. I think Kasarova more than convincingly sings her part. In the more minor roles Christopher Schaldenbrand is an excellent Albert. Also good is Dawn Kotoski as Sophie. Umberto Chiummo is adequate as Le Bailli, but this is a small and rather inconsequential role anyway.

5 out of 5 stars A very good version of a seldom heard work.......1999-10-25

Of the three new tenors--Alagna, Cura, and Vargas---I far prefer the third. I first heard him on a recital disc of opera, then one of Spanish songs, and I was greatly impressed with his voice and delivery. Honestly I did not think that Werther was a role suited to him; and I cannot help but compare him with the slightly more elegant version with Gedda in the title role on an old EMI album. But on its own terms, this new RCA Victor set is just fine and has, of course, far better sound.

It would be instructive to hear the rival set with Alagna and his wife to see how these two compare in the same roles. Frankly what I have heard and seen of Alagna does not impress me at all, despite the acolades he has received in some quarters. Vargas has by far the more thrilling voice, but he will have to learn to modify it lest he become just another Del Monaco: all brilliance and forte with no depth of characterization at all.

Kasarova is fine as his beloved; but again she does not have quite the fraility that Victoria de los Angeles managed to include in her reading of Charlotte. Still in all, a fine performance of a role with a "letter scene" but no popular aria to make the audience keep their seats to hear.

5 out of 5 stars A very good version of a seldom heard work.......1999-10-25

Of the three new tenors--Alagna, Cura, and Vargas---I far prefer the third. I first heard him on a recital disc of opera, then one of Spanish songs, and I was greatly impressed with his voice and delivery. Honestly I did not think that Werther was a role suited to him; and I cannot help but compare him with the slightly more elegant version with Gedda in the title role on an old EMI album. But on its own terms, this new RCA Victor set is just fine and has, of course, far better sound.

It would be instructive to hear the rival set with Alagna and his wife to see how these two compare in the same roles. Frankly what I have heard and seen of Alagna does not impress me at all, despite the acolades he has received in some quarters. Vargas has by far the more thrilling voice, but he will have to learn to modify it lest he become just another Del Monaco: all brilliance and forte with no depth of characterization at all.

Kasrova is fine as his beloved; but again she does not have quite the fraility that Victoria de los Angeles managed to include in her reading of Charlotte. Still in all, a fine performance of a role with a "letter scene" but no popular aria to make the audience keep their seats to hear.

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