Thomas Hampson, Werther
Susan Graham, Charlotte
Stephane Degout, Albert
Sandrine Plau, Sophie
Rene Schirrer, Le Bailli
Francois Piolino, Schmidt
Laurent Alvaro, Johann

Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse
Maitrise de Paris
Michel Plasson, direction

In July 2006, Virgin Classics releases a DVD of a rare concert performance of the baritone version of Massenet's opera Werther from the Theatre du Chatelet, paris on April 29, 2004. The principle roles were sung by baritone Thomas Hampson and soprano Susan Graham, supported by Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse under the direction of conductor Michel Plasson. The musical evening enraptured all those who had the good fortune to be there, and the film of the performance has captured all that made this Werther a legendary performance.

Thomas Hampson has always been a fervent champion of this version, having sung the role with Susan Graham at the New York Metropolitan in 1999. Thomas Hampson was so keen on singing this score in Paris that the concerts were set up at the Chatelet Theatre.

R E V I E W S

"Thomas Hampson makes a credible Werther, his magnificent singing benefiting from his mastery in Lieder, colouring each word and distilling each phrase." -- Pladido Carrerotti, www.forumopera.com