Act 1:

Since his wife’s death, the Bailiff has lived alone with his nine children. Charlotte, the eldest, manages the household. Although the scene takes place during the month of July, the Bailiff is teaching his youngest offspring to sing a Christmas carol – much to the amusement of his friends Schmidt and Johann. Relatives and friends arrive to take Charlotte to a ball in the country. Among them is Werther – a sensitive, solitary, melancholic, nature-loving artist – a stranger to the little town. Werther watches Charlotte as she takes care of her younger brothers and sisters and falls under her spell. Charlotte asks her sister Sophie to watch over father and children and leaves the house accompanied by Werther. Albert, Charlotte’s fiancé, returns unexpectedly from a long journey. He is disappointed not to find Charlotte but Sophie assures him that everyone is excited about his upcoming marriage to her sister. Later that evening, Werther escorts Charlotte home. In the garden, under the moonlight, he professes his love for her. Charlotte feels attracted to the sensitive young man. However, when the Bailiff announces Albert’s return, Werther learns that Charlotte has promised her dying mother to marry the latter. Despite his despair, Werther swears to be true to his word.

Act 2:

It is autumn and the villagers prepare to celebrate the minister’s golden wedding. The guests include Albert and Charlotte who have now been married for three months and Werther who is still in the grip of his passion for Charlotte. Albert, who has suspicions about Werther’s feelings for his wife, tries to turn the young man’s attentions towards Sophie. But Werther, eager to have a discrete tête‑à‑tête with Charlotte, reminds her of their first romantic encounter. Disconcerted, the young woman begs him to go away for a while and to not return before Christmas. In his solitude, Werther gives free rein to his despair. The idea of suicide begins to dawn in his mind. He announces to Sophie, who has come to invite him to join in the festivities, that he is leaving forever. Albert is now certain that Werther loves Charlotte.

Act 3:

It is Christmas Eve. Charlotte is alone at home rereading the letters that Werther has sent her since his self-imposed exile. Sophie arrives and immediately discerns her elder sister’s sadness and distress. She tries to cheer Charlotte up before returning to her father and siblings. Charlotte drifts back into despair. Werther, lacking the will to hold to his promise to never see Charlotte again, comes to visit her in her husband’s house. They remember the happy times they spent together making music and reading the works of great poets. The vivid evocation of some verses by Ossian rekindles the suffering of their impossible passion. For a brief moment, Charlotte’s true feelings shine through. Yet once again, duty triumphs: when Werther tries to kiss her, she resists and dashes out. Werther sees no point in living anymore and leaves the house. Albert returns from his travels. He knows that Werther has returned and he questions his wife, who is unable to conceal her distress. A messenger brings a letter from Werther. In it, Werther announces that he is going on a long journey and asks Albert to lend him his pistols. The latter orders Charlotte to hand over the guns to the messenger.

Act 4:

Seized by dark foreboding, Charlotte rushes to Werther’s home but she arrives too late; the young man has fatally wounded himself. He asks her not to go in search of help, preferring to die in her arms. Charlotte finally admits her love for him and returns his kiss. Outside, in the distance, the children can be heard singing the Christmas carol they learned during the summer. In his agony, Werther takes the singing as a sign of divine redemption. He dies asking Charlotte to weep over his grave.