Irish National Opera bring Massenet’s ‘Werther’ to the Lime Tree Theatre this April 29

Werther comes to the Lime Tree Theatre this April 29 produced by the Irish National Opera performing the Massenet masterpiece. Photographer Pat Redmond

Werther, the young poet. Charlotte, the woman he loves. And his best friend Albert, to whom she is engaged

Massenet transforms the triangle of Goethe’s hugely influential novel of impossible love into a hauntingly gentle and lyrical opera that sensitively traces the unfolding of a hopeless passion. So hopeless that, when Charlotte’s hot and cold feelings cause her to turn away from Werther yet again, tragedy cannot be averted.  

Italian tenor Paride Cataldo sings the title role, with Cork mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan, who starred in INO’s Olivier Award-winning production of Bajazet (2022), as Charlotte. Full cast includes baritone Charles Rice as Albert, soprano Sarah Shine as Sophie and baritone Wyn Pencarreg as Le Bailli, with tenor Eamonn Mulhall as Schmidt and baritone Owen Gilhooly-Miles as Johann. Philipp Pointner conducts the Irish National Opera orchestra.   

Werther is directed by Sophie Motley, designed by Sarah Bacon, with lighting design by Sarah Jane Shiels and features a new orchestration by Andrew Synnott. 

We’re at the Sitzprobe for #INOWerther today 🥳🎻 So excited for our #OpeningNight in one week!

📸 Madeline Judge pic.twitter.com/01X5pna2Qe— Irish National Opera (@IrishNatOpera) April 15, 2023

Werther is sung in French with English subtitles.  

Running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes including one interval. 

INO is Ireland’s national opera company, and produces high-quality, accessible opera in venues throughout Ireland and overseas.

Date: Saturday 29 April

Time: 8pm

Tickets: €30/€27

Limerick Lime Tree Theatre

For booking: www.limetreetheatre.ie

061-953400

Free pre-show event: Werther… In Focus

Delve deeper into the background of opera with Irish National Opera’s free In Focus series, taking place at Lime Tree Theatre at 7pm on Saturday 29th April. 

Werther…In Focus takes a closer look at Massenet’s Werther, exploring the music and the context in which it was created. In this free event, get the chance to meet key artists involved in producing the opera and hear about their process in realising the work.

The event will last approximately 30 mins and takes place one hour prior to live performances of the opera. Tickets are free but booking is required. Please contact the Box Office by calling 061 953 400, or emailing [email protected] to reserve a place. Meeting point on the evening: Lime Tree Theatre Box Office.

Read more about the Lime Tree Theatre here.