Werther

Filmed at the Vienna State Opera in 2005 Andrei Serbans production of Massenets opera with a late 18th century setting pushes the action forwards to the 1950swith the visuals exemplifying that decade with precisionWith as much delicacy on display as naked passionhisAlverezmorbid poet is outstandingly realised both vocally and dramatically Together with Erods dour Albert and Ileana Toncas Sophieclearly in love with Werther herselfthe drama is set out with unusual clarity and realismPhilippe Jordan ensures that Massenets pentup emotion explodes exactly on cueits expressive power providing impossible to resist