A Theatre National De L'Opera Comique poster. Jules Massenet's music for Goethe's novel, "Die Leiden Des Jungen Werthers". Poster has two vignettes about the tragic story about young Werther who falls in love at first sight with Charlotte. After Charlotte marries someone else in order to fulfill a promise to her recently deceased mother, Werther refuses to be deterred, and writes copious letters to his heart's desire. She sends him away in order to honor her commitment, and only when he threatens to kill himself does she rush to his side and pour her heart out to her dying beloved. Framed, image size apprx 23" x 31".
"While the story of how Massenet came to write Werther is a little too romantic, much of it is probably true. Massenet's publisher, Georges Hartmann, arranged a trip to Wexler, where the story takes place. When they left Goethe's house, Hartmann presented Massenet with a French translation of the Goethe work. Again, Massenet was eager to see a libretto and Hartmann provided the first outline. The work was probably finished by July 1887, but when the Opéra-Comique burned down, Massenet did not rush to have it produced. At the suggestion of Ernst Van Dyck, Massenet submitted the work to Vienna Opera House. Van Dyck had co-authored a ballet script for which Massenet wrote the music. The ballet was also premiered in Vienna at the same time."
200/300 Sold $172.50
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