ACT ONE: THE BAILIFF’S HOUSE

The Bailiff teaches his young children a Christmas carol on one of the evenings in July. He recently lost his wife, so his eldest daughter, Charlotte, is taking care of the children. 

The Bailiff’s friends Schmidt and Yohann are much entertained by hearing a Christmas carol in July. They drop in for a short time to say hello and make fun of the young poet, Werther, who is to escort Charlotte to a ball that evening, they also ask about Charlotte’s absent fiancé, Albert and then leave.

The Bailiff and the children go into the house. Werther appears in the now empty yard, he is enchanted by the beauty of nature. He watches Charlotte dressed for the Ball, who, before her departure, gives sweets to the children, and then leaves them in the care of her next eldest sister  - 15 year old Sophie. Deeply touched with this idyllic scene, Werther goes to the Ball with Charlotte.

The night falls. The Bailiff departs with Schmidt and Johann to have a drink at the inn. Sophie is alone with the children. Suddenly Albert arrives, who has returned after his six-months long trip. He is a little disappointed that he could not find Charlotte at home. After a joyful and hopeful conversation with Sophie, Albert leaves and says that he will return again in the morning.

In the moonlight, late at night, Charlotte and Werther return charmed by each other. Werther is delighted with the beauty of the girl and her devotion to the family. Charlotte is recalling her mother. Finally, Werther is declaring his love to her, and he is about to kiss her when the voice of the Bailiff is heard calling his daughter, to tell her of Albert’s return. Then Charlotte admits that the evening spent with Werther made her forget the oath she had given to her mother: to marry Albert. The young poet is devastated.

ACT TWO:  THE LINDEN TREES

Three months passed. Charlotte and Albert got married. And now, in the late September, together with the people of Wetzlar they are going to the church to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of the Pastor. Werther has maintained the friendly relationship with the newly-weds, but he is constantly tormented with the idea that now Charlotte belongs to another man. 

Albert understands well what troubles Werther and tries to console him, but Werther assures him that there is nothing but friendship in his heart. Then Sophie enters and tries to invite him to a dance to help him to forget his sorrow, but in vain.

Then Charlotte enters the church and Werther cannot prevent himself from speaking of his love. He reminds her their first meeting. Charlotte remembers her duties of a wife. That is why she thinks that it will be better for both of them if Werther leaves for a certain period of time, at least till Christmas. The poet is in despair, the idea of suicide appears in his mind.

Sophie comes back, she wants to take Werther to the festivities but he brusquely replies that he is departing forever. Sophie  passes on the news in tears and Albert realizes that Werther is still in love with Charlotte. The celebration for the wedding anniversary begins.

ACT THREE: ALBERT'S HOUSE

Christmas eve. Charlotte, alone at home, obsessively re-reads Werther’s letters admitting to herself that she still loves him. Sophie arrives and tries to cheer her up, but Charlotte is in despair. 

Suddenly Werther appears. He and Charlotte  recall the happy meetings of the past and Werther reads to her his new translation – a poem by Ossian. While reading to her, he realizes  that the woman has always loved him and that she is still in love with him.  For brief seconds they embrace, but Charlotte comes to her senses, gets rid of Werther, she panics and runs out of the room, telling him they will never meet again. Such farewell sounds like a death sentence to Werther and he finally decides to commit suicide.

Returning home Albert finds Charlotte completely devastated and bombards her with questions. The servant brings a note: Werther writes to Albert that he is going on a long journey and asks Albert to lend him his pistols. Albert sends them with a servant. Charlotte has a terrible foreboding and rushes off to Werther’s house.

INTERLUDE: CHRISTMAS EVE

In the night, Charlotte runs through the snow to Werther’s house. Meanwhile, Werther writes a farewell letter and shoots himself with Albert's pistol.

ACT FOUR: WERTHER’S DEATH

Charlotte finds Werther mortally wounded in his study.  The possibility of spending his last minutes with Charlotte makes him happy and he does not want the woman to call for help.  Charlotte finally admits that she has loved him since the day they first met. Werther dies. Charlotte faints. The children’s merry Christmas carol is heard from outside.