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Synopsis of Werther...

ACT I
On a balmy July evening, the rather proactive Magistrate practices a Christmas carol with his children. His friends Johann and Schmidt arrive and cheer the children for their effort. They announce that the Prince has decided to make the pensive Werther an ambassador and congratulate the Magistrate on the upcoming marriage of his daughter Charlotte to the trustworthy Albert. After they leave, Werther appears, struck by the beauty of nature and charmed by the children. Everyone heads off to the ball in Wetzlar, leaving Charlotte's younger sister Sophie to care for the children. Albert returns and just misses them, but is thrilled to hear from Sophie that Charlotte has been thinking of him. That evening, Charlotte and Werther return from the ball arm in arm, and he confesses his love for her, the fires of his passion stoked by her virtue and beauty. The Magistrate interrupts his reverie, declaring excitedly that Albert has come back. Werther is crushed to discover that Albert is Charlotte's betrothed.

ACT II
That September, Charlotte and Albert revel in their nuptial happiness under the lime trees in the churchyard, while the abject Werther curses his misfortune. Unwittingly rubbing salt into the romantic's wounds, Albert hints that Werther could find happiness married to Sophie. Werther decides to leave, and Charlotte demands that he do so, conceding that he may return at Christmas. He thinks of killing himself, but announces instead that he will go, never to return.

ACT III
On Christmas Eve, Charlotte pores over the letters Werther has written her, distraught, undecided about whether she should destroy them. Sophie tries to lift her spirits, but Charlotte turns to prayer for solace instead, begging God to fortify her in her moment of weakness. Werther enters and begins to read a poem by Ossian aloud, and Charlotte entreats him to stop. Her protests are no match for his passion. He embraces her, but she recovers herself and rushes out. Destroyed, Werther declares that he shall die, and he leaves.
Albert enters, looking for Charlotte. She emerges from her room, obviously agitated. A message from Werther arrives, asking Albert for his pistols. Albert, who realizes all too clearly his wife's feelings for the romantic, coldly orders Charlotte to bring the pistols. She knows only too well what Werther will do with them, and runs to stop the suicide the minute Albert leaves.

ACT IV
Charlotte rushes to Werther's side, horrified to find him mortally wounded. With only minutes to live, he declares that he shall die happy, reiterating his love for her. Overwhelmed, she confesses that she loves him, and they kiss. Werther implores Charlotte to have him buried under the churchyard's lime trees, and, as he dies, the children sing their Christmas carol.

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