The opera Werther, composed by Jules Massenet, returned to the stage in Rennes after more than two decades, with a co-produced performance involving the Opéra-Comique, Rennes' local theater, and the Angers Nantes Opéra. Tenor Julien Behr played the title role of Werther, as suggested by director Matthieu Rietzler. Christophe Rizoud previously covered the Paris premiere of this production, which is available to watch on arte.tv until July 2027. He praised the performance of Pene Pati and the staging by Ted Huffman, though the current Rennes version features a different set design. The staging by Alex Gotch is marked by its extreme minimalism. A large stage cage gives the production an unusual vertical dimension, while the set is kept to the bare essentials, allowing the audience to imagine settings such as a terrace, garden, fountain, and the Bailiff's house. A few simple props, like a Christmas tree, are used to create a sense of familiarity and connection with the characters. One of the most powerful scenes occurs during a symphonic interlude, where Charlotte tries to stop Werther from carrying out a fatal act. At this moment, the stage is stripped of all props except for an organ at the back, creating a dramatic and focused atmosphere. The cast includes Julien Behr as Werther, Lucie Peyramaure as Charlotte, Manon Lamaison as Sophie, Anas Séguin as Albert, Marc Scoffoni as the Bailiff, and Benoît-Joseph Meier and Florent Karrer as his companions. The performers reportedly had a strong rapport on stage, and the children of the Bailiff were well-rehearsed. Chloé Dufresne conducted the Orchestre National de Bretagne, whose performance was noted for expressive gestures and a cohesive, beautiful sound. The final scene is performed in complete bareness, with special effects involving a blood pool that are detailed in a separate article. The production will continue to be performed in Rennes until October 11, then move to Caen on November 26 and 28, followed by performances in Nantes from May 14 to 22, and in Angers on June 4. This revival of Werther brings a fresh interpretation of the classic opera to several cities across France, offering audiences a chance to experience it with a new, minimalist approach.