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Article posted: 11/13/2012 5:30 AM

Staging proves puzzling in musically strong ‘Werther’

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Werther (Wilmette native Matthew Polenzani) haunts the dreams of Charlotte (Sophie Koch) in director Francisco Negrin's interpretation of Massenet's "Werther" for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The new coproduction with San Francisco Opera runs through Monday, Nov. 26.

Courtesy of Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago

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A possible spirit of Werther (Wilmette native Matthew Polenzani) comforts Charlotte (Sophie Koch) after his suicide in director Francisco Negrin's interpretation of Massenet's "Werther" for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The new coproduction with San Francisco Opera runs through Monday, Nov. 26.

Courtesy of Robert Kusel/Lyric Opera of Chicago

An enveloping stainless steel bench and period costumes are a feature of the set and costume designs by Louis Désiré in director Francisco Negrin's interpretation of Massenet's "Werther" for the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Courtesy of Robert Kusel/Lyric Opera of Chicago

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The Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production of Massenet's "Werther" is wonderfully sung, but director Francisco Negrin's multimedia production is a bit of a dramatic and scenic muddle.