Miami performances are at the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami.

Fort Lauderdale performances are at the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.

Children must be at least six years old to attend.

FEATURED ON-SITE DINING

Werther

by JULES MASSENET

Jules Massenet’s portrait of a lonely-hearted dreamer obsessed with a love he can never have is one of the greatest of all Romantic operas. Massenet’s ravishing moonlit score endows Goethe’s tragic story with the essence of French elegance and style.

Sung in French with English and Spanish projected translations

MIAMI
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
Ziff Ballet Opera House
Apr 27, 2019, at 7:00pm
Apr 30 and May 2, 2019, at 8:00pm
May 5, 2019, at 2:00pm

FORT LAUDERDALE
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Au-Rene Theater
May 9 and 11, 2019, at 7:30pm

Synopsis

ACT I
The Bailiff’s house; July.
In his garden, the Bailiff is teaching his younger children a Christmas carol. A widower and father of a large family, he reminds them that their elder sister Charlotte will not be pleased with their performance. His friends Johann and Schmidt come to lure him away to the local inn, but he says he must first see Charlotte off to a ball. She is being escorted by Werther, an idealistic young man, as her fiancé Albert is away. The Bailiff promises to meet his friends later, and they leave as Werther comes to call for Charlotte. Overcome by the rustic charm of the surroundings, he extols the beauties of nature. On being introduced to Charlotte, he is struck by her warmth and innocent beauty and dreams of passing a life of happiness at her side. They leave for the ball. Charlotte’s sister Sophie remains home to take care of the children, insisting that her father go to his friends. When Sophie is alone, Albert returns unexpectedly, eager to see his betrothed and to know what has been happening during his six months’ absence. Not finding Charlotte, he leaves, promising to return the next day. Charlotte and Werther return from the ball lost in each other. She tells him of the shock of her mother’s death, and Werther declares his love. The Bailiff’s voice interrupts, announcing Albert’s return, and Charlotte tells a stunned Werther of her promise to her dying mother to marry Albert.

ACT II
The village green at Wetzlar; September.
It is Sunday before a service, which will be followed by the celebrations for the pastor’s 50th wedding anniversary. Before entering the church with Charlotte, his bride of three months, Albert asks her if he has succeeded in making her happy, and receives her assurances. Contemplating them from a distance, Werther is distraught at the idea that another man is her husband. At the end of the service, Albert tells Werther that he feels almost guilty in his happiness, knowing that Werther must have been attracted to Charlotte. Werther assures him that he has forgotten that dream. They are interrupted by Sophie who arrives eager for the festivities, and Albert tries to make Werther aware of her obvious interest in him. Charlotte leaves the church, having found renewed strength in prayer, to be met by Werther’s unhappy reminiscences and increasingly passionate declarations. With her resistance at its breaking point, she orders him to leave until Christmas. Alone, Werther contemplates suicide and rushes away, to Sophie’s distress. As the celebrations begin, Charlotte and Albert discover Sophie crying, and Albert realizes that Werther loves his wife.

ACT III
Scene 1: The living room of Albert’s house.
Alone on Christmas Eve, Charlotte obsessively rereads Werther’s letters. Sophie enters, but her attempts to cheer her sister only result in Charlotte breaking down into tears. Alone again, Charlotte desperately prays to God for strength, and, as if in answer, Werther appears. After she assures him that nothing has changed since he left, he laments, “nothing but the hearts.” However, Charlotte’s reaction as he recites one of their favorite poets betrays her, and Werther, overjoyed, passionately embraces her. Charlotte, horrified at her weakness, banishes Werther forever, leaving him alone and determined on suicide. Albert enters after Werther’s departure and is suspicious of Charlotte’s behavior. They are interrupted by Werther’s servant who asks for the loan of some pistols since his master is leaving on a journey. Albert orders Charlotte to give them to the man, but as soon as she is alone, she rushes after Werther hoping to prevent a tragedy.
Scene 2: Werther’s study; later that evening.
Charlotte arrives too late. She can do nothing except declare her love. Werther, finally at peace, dies in her arms to the sound of the children’s Christmas carols.