Werther: Act 3, Aria: Pourquoi me reveiller (tenor; excerpt): Serious Opera, Orchestra Accompaniment, Conductor Score & Parts

WERTHER, an opera in four acts by Jules Massenet (1842-1912), found its inspiration in a novel by Goethe, The Sorrows of Young Werther, which in turn based its story on the actual suicide of a young man haunted with adoration for a married woman. First performed on February 16, 1892 in Vienna, it quickly reached the stage of the Theatre Lyrique in Paris but faltered due to its serious subject matter. The growing success of Massenet's opera Manon allowed it to be introduced to Germany. From there, it achieved fame in opera houses across the world. In the third act, Werther sings Pourquoi me réveiller? (Why do you awaken me, oh breath of spring?), contrasting his blissful realization that Charlotte has accepted his love with the impending realization that their happiness cannot last. Reprint edition. Instrumentation: 2.1+EH.2+BCl.2: Asax: 4.0.3.0: Timp: Hp: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Solo Tenor.