An opera in four acts with music by Jules Massenet and a libretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliety, and Georges Hartmann. Based on the novel by Johann von Goethe, it premiered on February 16, 1892, at the Vienna State Opera.

Published at the height of the Sturm und Drang movement, the novel The Sorrows of Young Werther was a revelation for many teenagers who lived their emotions to the fullest. Although Massenet’s opera was written almost 120 years later, it still reflected the spirit of a bourgeoisie that, even though more liberal than that of the 18th century, still had to submit to the strict social norms that governed the relationships between men and women.
In this opera, Charlotte captures Werther’s attention despite being engaged. Although Werther insists on his love, she asks him to leave. After much deliberation, he decides to take his own life, and although she senses his intentions, she is unable to stop him and finds him dead in his home.

This tragedy is one of the greatest examples of romantic love, and despite its age, its themes remain relevant in today’s society. It explores the fear of rejection, obsession, idealization, and manipulation, all of which are addressed through the extreme decisions of its protagonists.