Werther

ACT 1

It is July, Le Bailli is sitting in his garden surrounded by six of his children and he is trying to teach them a Christmas carol. He rebukes them for singing poorly and says that if their older sister Charlotte were here they would sing it much better. Hearing Charlotte’s name, the children immediately begin to sing better (“Noel, Noel”). The Bailli’s friends, Schmidt and Johann, come by and remind Le Bailli to join them later for a social evening. Sophie, Charlotte’s 15-year-old sister, comes in and they talk of Werther, a melancholic young man destined for a diplomatic career. They also talk about Albert, who they all think will make a good husband for Charlotte. Everyone goes inside the house.

Werther appears. He reflects on the summer evening atmosphere in this wonderful village ("O Nature, pleine de grâce"). Charlotte, dressed for the ball that is to take place that evening, returns accompanied by her father and younger siblings. Her partner is late, so she