Superstar tenor Jonas Kaufmann is all set for the title role of the tortured poet in Jules Massenet's Werther, opening February 18 at the Metropolitan Opera.
A returning champion, indeed, Kaufmann has sung the role with the Paris Opera back in 2010 and again with the Vienna State Opera in 2011--both times opposite French mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch as Charlotte.
For Koch, though, this will be her debut with the Metropolitan Opera.
The cast includes the wonderful Lisette Oropesa as the equally wonderful Sophie with Serbian bass-baritone David Bižić also making his debut there at Lincoln Center.
Richard Eyre stands ready, too, to direct this production--hoping to repeat the sucess of his Carmen at the Met in 2010.
Sets and costumes, a real treat from what we've seen thus far, are by Tony-winner Rob Howell.
And don't forget that the Saturday, March 15 performance will be part of the Met's "Live in HD" series, transmitted digitally to some 2,000 screens in 64 countries around the globe.
Tickets can be purchased here, and yes, matinee performances are still available.
Preview the sultry Kaufmann below with his "Pourquoi Me Réveiller" from Werther.
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