Schumann and Werner reprise their roles from the original 2005 production
In an age before eHarmony, Match.com and Dr. Phil, young Werther fell in love with Lotte, a woman who did not love him in return. Unable to point and click his way to an equally desirable woman, he became obsessed, unable to move on with his life.
A similar dilemma is described lyrically in Wilhelm Mueller’s romantic poem, “Die Winterreise.” This poem became the basis for one of the world’s great song cycles, Franz Schubert’s Winterreise (Winter’s Journey).
Dialogue in English from Goethe’s novella, “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” creates a theatrical setting for Schubert’s famous Winterreise songs. The 2005 World Premiere was critically acclaimed and played to sold-out audiences during its original Long Beach run.
Goethe wrote his novella when he was 24 years old. In this work, the protagonist, Werther, falls deeply in love with a woman who does not return his attentions. Obsessed with her, he feels his life is over unless she can love him in return.
Mueller’s romantic poem tells of another young man’s unrequited love. Traveling through a wintry landscape, the youth tries frantically to break away from a woman’s spell over him and find meaning in his life. He eventually realizes she is unworthy of his devotion, but still can’t escape her hold over him.
Before he died, Mueller wanted to find a “sympathetic soul” who would “hear the melodies in my words…” Although Mueller never heard the Winterreise songs, Schubert became the “sympathetic soul” in tune with his. Mueller was 33 when he died.
Schubert composed music to “Die Winterreise” one year after Mueller’s death. The result is what many consider the greatest song cycle ever written. Schubert completed Winterreise in 1827. Nearing the end of his life at the time, he was both at the peak of his creative powers and in the depths of despair. He died at 31 believing the world had rejected him and that his music would soon be forgotten.
In June 2005, Andreas Mitisek, artistic and general director of Long Beach Opera, wove Goethe’s novella, Mueller’s poem and Schubert’s song cycle into powerful opera theater.
Canadian pianist Michelle Schumann, a highly sought after solo and collaborative artist, will perform at the show. She was also the pianist in the original 2005 production.
The young baritone Erik Nelson Werner portrays Werther. Werner originated the role of Werther in the 2005 production.
The production returns to Long Beach for two days only, at the Center Theater, in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, at 300 East Ocean Boulevard. The run starts at 4 p.m. Saturday and at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Single ticket range from $45 to $70. Tickets can be purchased online at www.long beachopera.org or by calling the box office at (562) 432-5934. Student tickets are $15. Discount tickets for students, seniors, educators and groups can only be purchased through the box office.
