Werther Partners
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Study Guide 2016/17 Season Production Sponsors Manitoba Opera gratefully acknowledges our Werther partners: Student Night at the Opera Sponsor Projected Translations Sponsor Education, Outreach, and Audience Engagement Sponsors 1060 – 555 Main Street Lower Level, Centennial Concert Hall Winnipeg, MB, R3B 1C3 204-942-7470 www.manitobaopera.mb.ca For Student Night tickets or more information on student programs, contact Livia at 204-942-7470 or [email protected] Join our e-newsletter for exclusive behind-the-scenes content: Go to www.manitobaopera.mb.ca and click “Join Our Mailing List” welcome Contents Resources for Educators 4 Fast Facts 6 Production Information 7 Synopsis 9 The Principal Characters 11 The Principal Artists 12 The Composer 13 The Librettists 15 Musical Highlights 16 Love Letters Throughout History 17 Goethe and the Epistolary Novel 18 Student Activities 21 Suicide: There is Always Hope 29 Winnipeg Public Library Resources 31 3 welcome 4 Great Resources for Engaging Your Students with the Art of Opera 1. Student Night at the Opera In order to expose student audiences to the glory of opera, Manitoba Opera created Student Night. It’s an affordable opportunity for students to watch the dress rehearsal of our mainstage productions, providing an exciting look at the art and magic of opera before the curtain goes up on Opening Night. Please note: • Werther is an opera in four acts, with a running time of approximately three hours. The dress rehearsal is the last opportunity the singers will have to work on stage before Opening Night. Since vocal demands are so great on opera singers, some choose not to sing in full voice dur- • ing the dress rehearsal in order to avoid unnecessary strain. Tickets to Student Night are $12.50 each and are available to students from schools, postsec- ondary institutions, private and conservatory music programs, and youth organizations. • 2. Study Guide This study guide has been created to assist you in preparing your students for their visit to the opera at the Centennial Concert Hall. Materials in the study guide may be copied and distributed to students. Manitoba Curriculum Connections are provided with links to Grade 9 - 12 Music, Drama and English Language Arts. 3. CDs Available for Loan Borrow a Werther 4. Opera in a TrunkCD from our office for a two-week period. Bring the magic of opera right into the classroom with our Opera in a Trunk program. Each trunk includes costumes, props, books, a CD and DVD of the opera, instruments, activities, and a guide for putting it all together. Trunks are free to borrow for a three-week period. Available trunks: La Bohème Aida The Daughter of the Regiment The Magic Flute Carmen *NEW THIS SEASON* Hansel and Gretel For More Information/ To Purchase Tickets/ To Book a Trunk: Contact Livia Dymond at 204-942-7470 or [email protected] 4 Manitoba Opera Manitoba Opera was founded in 1969 by a group of individuals dedicated to presenting the great works of opera to Manitoban audiences. Manitoba Opera is the province’s only full-time profes- sional opera company. The company attracts internationally renowned artists, highlights the best local talent, and is supported by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Chorus The Manitoba Opera Chorus, under the direc- tion of Chorus Master Tadeusz Biernacki, is hailed for their excellent singing and acting abilities. The chorus boasts a core of skilled singers who give generously of their time and talents. Some are voice majors at university, a few are singing teachers, but most work in jobs that aren’t music related. Staff Carmen, Manitoba Opera, April 2010. Photo: R.Tinker Tadeusz Biernacki Chorus Master & Assistant Music Director 2016/17 Board of Trustees Michael Blais Director of Administration Wayne Benson Judy Braun Brent Bottomley Patron Services & Communications Coordinator Peter George Larry Desrochers Abbie Grieder General Director & CEO Elba Haid, Chair Livia Dymond Leona Herzog Education & Outreach Coordinator Dr. Amanda Huminicki Alicia Faucher Dr. Anthony Iacopino Executive Assistant to the General Director Sue Jurkovic-Bracken Sheldon Johnson Dr. Hermann Lee Director of Production Luisa Matheson Tyrone Paterson Maria Mitousis Music Advisor & Principal Conductor Dr. Bill Pope Elizabeth Miller Alex Robinson Annual Giving Manager Dr. Jeffrey Sisler Darlene Ronald Robert Vineberg Director of Marketing David White Sandra Schmidtke Lori Yorke Grant & Corporate Giving Manager Dale Sulymka Chief Financial Officer 5 the production Fast Facts • Werther (pronounced vair-TAIR) is a French opera in four acts, composed by Jules Massenet with a libretto by Edouard Blau, Paul Milliet, and Georges Hartmann. The libretto is adapted from the novel The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The world premiere of Werther took place on February 16, 1892 at the Court Opera in • did not premiere in its original language, French, until December of that year. Vienna, Austria. The opera was translated into German, and premiered in that language first. It Massenet was inspired to write an opera based on The Sorrows of Young Werther after visiting the late author’s home and reading the novel. Prior to this, he had planned on • writing an opera on the story of Scènes de la vie de bohème, on which Puccini later based his classic opera La Bohème. The aria “Pourquoi me reveiller” sung by the title character, Werther, is the most well- known piece from the opera. He sings the words of the poet Ossain to Charlotte. • This opera highlights the power orchestral music has to communicate and express feelings and stories without words. The orchestration is integral to understanding the • longing Werther has for Charlotte, and the honour Charlotte feels for defending her family; words do not need to explicitly state such feelings; the music tell us. Werther in the company’s 44-year history. • This is the first time Manitoba Opera has staged Werther, Opera de Montreal, 2011. 6 Photo:Y. Renaud the production Production Information April 29, May 2, & 5 Dress Rehearsal / Student Night: April 27 Centennial Concert Hall Music by Jules Massenet Libretto by Edouard Blau, Paul Milliet, and Georges Hartmann, based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s novel Die Leiden des jungen Werthers (The Sorrows of Young Werther) Approximately three hours in four acts Premiered (in German) at the Court Opera in Vienna, Austria on February 16, 1892 Sung in French with projected English translations PRINCIPAL CAST (In order of vocal appearance) Werther Tenor JOHN TESSIER Charlotte Mezzo-Soprano LAUREN SEGAL Albert Baritone KEITH PHARES Sophie Soprano LARA SECORD-HAID Le Bailli Bass DAVID WATSON Johann Bass TBA Schmidt Tenor TERENCE MIERAU Manitoba Opera Chorus Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Conductor TYRONE PATERSON Director ANN HODGES Sets OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL Costumes OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL Lighting designer BILL WILLIAMS Stage manager ROBERT PEL Assistant stage managers KATHRYN BALL CANDACE MAXWELL Projected titles SHELDON JOHNSON 7 the production Production Information A Note on the Setting Massenet’s Werther is set in Wetzlar, Germany in the late 18th century. Manitoba Opera’s pro- duction moves the action to the 1920s, while the libretto and music will remain unchanged. This production concept and set is borrowed from the 2011 production of Werther at Opéra de Montréal. The set was orginally designed by Elijah Moshinsky for Opera Australia and the 1920’s era costumes were designed by Montreal-based fashion house, Barilà. Werther, Opéra de Montréal, 2011. Photo:Y. Renaud 8 the production Synopsis Act I A midsummer’s day outside the home of the Bailiff. It’s only July, but the Bailiff, a widower, is teaching his six youngest children a carol they’ll be performing at Christmas. A pair of neighbours, Schmidt and Johann, watch and gossip about town, will be attending the ball with a visiting poet named Werther. that night’s village ball. The Bailiff says his oldest daughter, Charlotte, whose fiance is out of As the sun sets, Werther arrives. Watching her care for her siblings, he is smitten by the beautiful - pectedly from his trip. He tells her sister Sophie that he will surprise Charlotte in the morning. CharlotteCharlotte. andThey Werther leave for arrive the ball, home and from shortly the ballthereafter in the moonlight Charlotte’s and, fiance, inspired Albert, by returns the romantic unex mood, Werther declares his love to her. When the Bailiff calls out from the house that Albert has her vow, yet he cannot imagine she will marry someone else. returned and Charlotte explains he is her fiance, Werther’s hope is shattered. He insists she keep Act II One Sunday, the following September. Charlotte and Albert, married for three months, are walking to church, where the pastor’s golden wedding anniversary is being celebrated. Werther, who has tried to maintain a friendship with them both but still feels tormented, appears. After the service, Albert tells Werther that he under- stands how he must feel, having met Charlotte when she was still free, and that he sympathizes with him. Werther replies that he feels only friendship for Charlotte. Sophie invites him to dance but he refuses. Finally Charlotte emerges from the chapel and tries to engage Werther in polite soften his pain, she suggests he leave town, then relents, asking him to come visit for Christmas. conversation, but he keeps talking about their first meeting and his love for her. In an attempt to tells her he is leaving town and rushes off. Sophie bursts into tears, and tells Charlotte that Werther wasLeft alone,acting Wertherlike a crazy for man.the first Albert, time looking contemplates on, knows the better:idea of Werthersuicide. When is still Sophiein love appears,with his wife.he Act III Christmas Eve, Charlotte and Albert’s home. Charlotte is home alone, sadly re-reading Werther’s letters.