Classical and Jazz: Review - Werther at the Royal Opera House
Published: 12 May, 2011
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
MEXICAN tenor Rolando Villazón is back on top form as Werther in Massenet’s eponymous heartbreaker at the Royal Opera House.
His operatic schedules were cut back after suffering vocal problems a few years back. So his comeback has been greatly welcomed by his army of fans. Even in Werther, though, he was careful to restrain his singing early on so that he could pull out the stops as the romantic tragedy intensifies. You’ve got to feel so sorry for the indecisive poet Werther. Just two kisses is all he gets from the love of his life Charlotte (superbly sung by French soprano Sophie Koch) locked in a loveless marriage.
After getting the first, Charlotte says never again. That’s enough for him to shoot himself – only to be rewarded by another kiss from Charlotte in the great love-death finale.
• Three more performances till May 21. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, WC2, 020 7304 4000. www.roh.org
• The opera will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Saturday June 4 at 6pm.