Original version

BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

Migrated podcast image for: Radio 3 Opera Guides

Opera on 3

Music: Classical: Opera

Programme presenting rare and fascinating operatic performances

Programme presenting rare and fascinating performances and vividly communicating the immediacy of the live experience

Opera on 3: Massenet's Werther

Performances & Events

Drama: Musical

Music: Classical

04/06/2011

Massenet's Werther

BBC Radio 3 - Opera on 3, Massenet's Werther

Tenor Rolando Villazon and mezzo Sophie Koch star in Massenet's opera Werther.

From the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Andrew McGregor presents a performance of Massenet's opera Werther, with tenor Rolando Villazon and mezzo Sophie Koch.

The passionate young poet Werther meets Sophie, and falls instantly in love with her. Sophie falls for him too, but had promised her dying mother she'd marry Albert, and can't break her vow. Werther won't accept this, leading to tragic consequences for everybody. Massenet's Goethe-based opera is performed at the Royal Opera House with star tenor Rolando Villazon and Sophie Koch as the doomed lovers. Antonio Pappano conducts, and talks to Andrew McGregor about his view of the opera.

Presented by Andrew McGregor

Werther ..... Rolando Villazon (tenor)
Charlotte ..... Sophie Koch (mezzo-soprano)
Albert ..... Audun Iversen (baritone)
Sophie ..... Eri Nakamura (soprano)
Magistrate ..... Alain Vernhes (bass)
Johann ..... Darren Jeffrey (baritone)
Schmidt ..... Stuart Patterson (tenor)

Conductor ..... Antonio Pappano
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Opera on 3

Massenet's Werther

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC Radio 3

About BBC Radio 3