The masterpiece of genius Massenetin fact, devoid by nature of spectacular scenes, thanks to meticulous theatre direction by David Alagna assisted by brother Frédérico, a talented sculptor, graphic artist and painter, becomes a spectacle of close-ups and expressions, thanks to equally accurate picture for video production. Both of you must as well scenes elegant, sometimes covertly also sumptuous and engaging, contributing to the overall charm of this production, but that does not trap for their apparent accordance with canons "classics" of the setting: Alagna Brothers extend dichiaratemente to the public a Werther soaked in modernityreading stage in both the etymological interpretation.

The lights very accurate to Aldo Solbiatiaccompanied by costumeselegant and consistent Louis Désiréenvelop the entire show in a’atmosphere that has never absolutely bright even in daylight, but deliberately full of shadows and with a background of darkness behind even as interiors; lit often by sidelights, which with the changing colors from red to blue serenity of the passion and blood carries the viewer into a charming aura and pulls him into the whirlwind of the vicissitudes of the protagonists.

La bella Kate Aldrich, Charlotte, It also sports a voice absolutely adequate to the role, it is often also a feast for the eyes…but, if proof were needed, l’accurate performance of Roberto Alagna, in the role of the protagonist, who confirms himself, even by going back in time with this video, the best Werther scenes now.

Inevitable still have eyes and ears the memorable Opera staging Massenet on the stage of’Opera National de Paris Bastille at the end of January-February 2014 and that he then preceded to just the release of this DVD…but they are two sides of the same coin. Which proves, if proof were needed, no doubt not only mastering the interpreter's voice and character on the character already almost ten years ago, but a subsequent search of facets that inevitably and positively was then produced in those Alagna has the character of Werther among the warmest and successful of their repertoire.

With regard to the voice the famous tenor, one adjective:"shining"both the joint in the singing line, which in the expression. With the voice, especially singing in French, Alagna was and is able to do what he wants and feels: pleasing to the ear and mind.

Dizzying proportions to watch from a precise temporal perspective then, this DVDwith an interpreter who felt then a Werther responsive, violently shaken by passion of the soul. Which has been widely pointed out by Director and from the stage of the brothers, who have made the spirit, supporting and guiding it down to a excellent yield and convincing.

Enterprising, then, that his Werther youth, expressiveAs always credible, full of momentum and passionate shots, never too sweet, proud at times, not succumbing to exhaustion, but almost to the depressive mood that is foreshadowed in the words of the protagonists of the drama they describe it in the first place, by the mouth of Schmidt: "Un peu mélancolique" and Johann "Ah, I certs"! Jamais gai "and yet capable of being captured by the happy beginning, produced by cosmic involvement, serene Nature, typically romantic and innate to the character of Goethe.

Werther is this. It can lend itself to many other refinements introspective, but the key to understanding basic's autobiographical, which is then compared to Goethe, of Brothers Alagna is the correct one…as it stands right l’realistic atmosphere of the fourth Act, in which the character dies without too many halos in sublimated suffering but dipped in blood and eye desperately lost in the void of the unknown transcendent…engaged to die physically, then, and not, as often happens on stage, waiting for the Director to intervene, enjoying the embrace and kiss in Charlotte.

A poignant realismTherefore, there is in the entire production and absolutely suited to what is the interpretation of Roberto Alagnathat makes her even further, reaching the top of personal and unique absolutely sucked. A Werther realistically moribund, almost Catatonic, sometimes rightly suffering the extreme, total respect, though, as always by the great interpreter of Bel Canto and of the metric even in this final…And the flashbacks were shot during the orchestral parts make it even smoother action and consistent the finale itself, causing the protagonist spends with joy the beginning end to suicide with a gradual, very intense and addictive participatory inspiration.

So rich musically and visually, this Werther in DVD, need to be seen and reviewed in order to fully enjoy all the features and qualities. Among these, thecharacterization and treatment of the characters of Sophie, Nathalie Manfrino, and Albert, Marc Barrard. Not the girl first, but charming and carefree, woman in love with Werther, presumably to him about to be promised, and conscious of the suffering of his sister, who tries to console…. The second, but not detached, algid nor humanly involved and justly struck by the events also immediately following the suicide, which are disclosed at the beginning of the video, thanks always to those scholars's glittering lights that illuminate the narrative of flash but that make it particularly enjoyable and exciting.

Great multimedia product, refined quality: recommended.

 

 

 

 

 

From Official Facebook Page by Roberto Alagna:

https://www.facebook.com/RobertoAlagna.Tenor?fref=ts

>>Traduction française (extraits) :

This Werther in Massenet line, offering a reading and staged accurate and rigorous and signed Alagna brothers: Roberto and David Frederico, comes out on DVD on February 17, 2014 at Deutsche - Grammophon - Universal Music Classic & Jazz France. Reserved impatiently expected, desired by many, this Werther, immortalized in the staging of 2005 at the Teatro Regio of Turin finally arrived in stores. […]

The masterpiece of the great Massenet, devoid by nature of spectacular scenes, became, by the theatrical staging very carefully by David Alagna to which cooperated his brother Frédérico, sculptor, graphic artist and painter of talent, a show rich in plans closer and expressions, thanks also to the impeccable collection made for video production. At both should also be elegant scenes, sometimes subtly sumptuous and upsetting that contribute to the overall charm of this production, but should not be fooled by their apparent compliance with the 'classic' canons of tradition: clearly, the Alagna Brothers offer to the public a Werther Petri dish of modernity, both in a literal reading of the work than in its scenic interpretation. […]

The beautiful Kate Aldrich, Charlotte, dazzling by her voice that perfectly suits the role is often also a pleasure for the eyes... but it should be noted, if it is necessary, the performance of Roberto Alagna in the role of the main protagonist: even if this video takes back us a few years back, it asserts itself as the best Werther that is on contemporary opera stages.

How do not still have the memorable staging of the Opera National de Paris Bastille, which preceded the release of the DVD end of January, beginning of February little in the eyes and ears? But these are the two sides of the same coin. This proves without a doubt, if he were still necessary, the master's voice and dramatic that the interpreter has character for almost ten years, but also its process of constant search for new approaches to the character, by this continuous renewal, Werther is certainly one of the roles most moving and mature directory of Alagna.

With regard to the famous tenor voice, a single adjective agrees: "resplendent", both in the sentence as in the line of singing and expressiveness. With his voice, especially when he sings in french, Alagna has been and is able to do what he wants and this means: a delight for the ear and mind]…] His Werther, committed, juvenile, expressive, as always credible, impetuous and full of passion, never too sweet, proud outbursts at times, succumb not fatigue, but the depressive component that it carries with it]…] As far is it capable of surrendering to the happy communion with nature, so serene at first to Act 1, typically romantic and characteristic of the character of Goethe.

Werther is. It may lend itself to a thousand other refined analyses, but the key to reading have chosen the Alagna brothers for their staging is the fairest and most faithful to the spirit of Goethe]…] The whole production is so pronounced realism touching that perfectly suits the interpretation of Roberto Alagna who appropriates it and transcends. It peaks in the incarnation personal and unique character. […]

Ce Werther en DVD est si riche sur le plan de la musique comme de l’esthétique visuelle qu’il mérite d’être vu et revu pour en apprécier pleinement toutes les caractéristiques et la beauté […] Un excellent article multimédia, de qualité très raffinée : à conseiller !

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>> English translation: (excerpts)

February 17, 2014 is the release date of this Werther at Deutsche Grammophon -Universal – Music Classic & Jazz France. This DVD offers an accurate and rigorous work’s reading and staging. Pre-ordered, eagerly awaited, desired by many, that Werther, immortalized in the 2005 staging at the Teatro Regio of Turin, is now finally in record stores. […]

The masterpiece by the great Massenet is in nature free of spectacular settings. It becomes a rich show made of many close ups and facial expressions, thanks to the polished dramatic staging of David Alagna, also involving his brother Frederico, a gifted sculptor, graphic artist and painter, as well as thanks to the perfect image pickup used for the video production. From their common work arose also elegant, sometimes subtly sumptuous and upsetting scenes, contributing to the overall beauty of this production. Yet should you not be mislead by a seeming compliance with the traditional “classical” canons. Alagna brothers are clearly offering an extremely contemporary Werther, regarding as well the literal reading of the score itself than the staging performance. […]

The beautiful Kate Aldrich as Charlotte, dazzling with a voice perfectly suited to the role, is often also a feast for the eyes …. but the perfect performance of Roberto Alagna as the main protagonist firstly deserves to be emphasized, if ever necessary : even if the video takes us a few years back, he stands as the best Werther it can be on contemporary opera stages .

How not to keep still in our eyes and ears the memorable performance at the Opera National de Paris Bastille in late January / early February 2014, shortly before the DVD release ? But these are two sides of a same medal. If still needed, it proves with no doubt how perfectly the singer is mastering the vocal and acting featuring of Werther for almost 10 years now, but also how he is continuously seeking for new approaches to his character. Thanks to this permanent renewal, Werther is certainly one of the most moving and accomplished role in Alagna’s Repertoire.

As regards the voice of the famous tenor, only one adjective is called for: “brilliant”, as well in phrasing as in the singing line and expressiveness. With his voice, especially when he is singing in French, Alagna was and is able to do just what he wants, and it’s obvious: a feast for ears and minds […] His Werther is deeply committed, youthful, expressive and credible as usual, tempestuous and passionate, never too sweet, occasionally proud. He doesn’t die of weariness but of the depressive part of his soul. […] And yet is he able to give himself up to the happy scene of communion with nature, so serene at the beginning at Act 1, typically romantic and distinctive of Goethe’s character.

Werther, that’s it. It may bring a thousand other sophisticated reviews, but the reading key to the staging set the Alagna brothers have chosen, is the rightest and the most faithful to Goethe’s spirit. […] The whole production is marked by a high level of touching realism, pefectcly suitable for Roberto’s featuring. He takes it over and transcends it, reaching the heights in the personal and unique embodying of the character;

Werther in this DVD is so rich regarding both music and visual aesthetic that it should be watched a few times to fully appreciate all its specificities and beauty. […] An excellent multimedia item, of highly refined quality: we strongly recommend!

Natalia Dantas

Werther

Opera in 4 atti di Jules Massenet

Libretto by E. Blau, P. Milliet, G. Hartmann, da J.W. Goethe

Orchestra del Teatro Regio di Torino, Direttore Alain Guingal

Director by David Alagna

Scene by David e Frédérico Alagna

Maestro del coro di Voci Bianche di Torino Claudio Marino Moretti

Lights by Aldo Solbiati

Costumes by Louis Désiré

Registrato al Teatro Regio di Torino, 2005.

Werther: Roberto Alagna

Charlotte: Kate Aldrich

Albert: Marc Barrard

Sophie: Nathalie Manfrino

Le Bailli: Michel Trempont

Schmidt: Léonard Pezzino

Johann: Armando Gabba

Bruhlmann: Alessandro Inzillo

Katchen: Ivana Cravero

DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON – UNIVERSAL Music Classics & Jazz France

DVD

In commercio dal 17 febbraio 2014