Unrequited love that leads to tragedy is the theme for this week's Sunday Opera (11/1 3:00 p.m.) in a production of Jules Massenet's "Werther" from London's Royal Opera House. The poet Werther (Juan Diego Flores) falls in love with the charming Charlotte (Isabel Leonard) during a Christmas ball they attend, but she is betrothed to Albert (Jacques Imbrailo) because of a promise she made to her mother on her mother's deathbed. When they return to Charlotte's house, Werther tries to declare his love for Charlotte, but is interrupted by the news that Albert has returned, and Werther is despondent. Over the course of a year, Werther writes of his love to Charlotte, but she is happily married, and once again, on Christmas Eve, she tells Werther that she cannot be with him, and he leaves, determined to commit suicide.
The cast also includes Heather Enebretson, ByeongMin Gil, Stephanie Wake-Edwards, and Vincent Ordonneau. Edward Gardener conducts the Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus. After the opera, Michael Kownacky will bring you more music of Massenet with his oratorio "Eve," Scenes Napolitaine, and more.
