Benoît Jacquot’s production of Massenet’s opera arrives at the Royal Opera House, starring Joyce DiDonato and Vittorio Grigòlo. but what have critics been saying about it? 

The Guardian: **** George Hall said: “Antonio Pappano and the ROH orchestra outshine the drama in this atmospheric revival of Benoît Jacquot’s 2004 production.”

The Financial Times: ****Richard Fairman wrote: “Who said that Puccini and Tchaikovsky gave us the height of operatic passion? Try the later stages of this revival of Massenet’s Werther, when Joyce DiDonato, Vittorio Grigòlo and Antonio Pappano really let themselves go. The emotional temperature hits boiling point. The air sizzles.”

MusicOMH:****Sam Smith commented: “Antonio Pappano caps it all with his sensitive and stylish conducting.”

The Independent: **** Michael Church found that: “this second revival of Benoît Jacquot’s elegant production certainly gets the right voices.”

Bachtrack: *** David Karlin summed the production up by saying: “This production of this opera didn’t do enough to really grab me with the tragedy of Werther’s short life. But the orchestral playing is excellent, the production is highly competent all round and there are two great singers in the lead roles.”

WhatsOnStage: ****Mark Valencia wrote: “As for Pappano and the ROH Orchestra, everything about their warm account of the score, subtly shaded and light on its feet, serves to belie Massenet’s unwonted reputation as a purveyor of musical gluten.”

Express.co.uk: **** William Hartston said: “a surprisingly effective performance of a musically unremarkable opera.”

Werther is playing at the Royal Opera House until the 13th July. To book tickets visit: Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk,  Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.