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Massenet’s Werther

February 7, 2026, 12:00 pm

Alfredo Kraus in the title role of Massenet's "Werther." (Photo: Met Archives)

The Metropolitan Opera begins their Artist’s Choice series. For the next 4 weeks, operas will be chosen from the Met Opera Archive by some of today’s leading opera stars. Today’s performance of Massenet’s Werther from February 3, 1979 was chosen by Lawrence Brownlee. The recording features celebrated 20th century tenor Alfredo Kraus in the titular role, alongside Régine Crespin (Charlotte), Kathleen Battle (Sophie), and Lenus Carlson (Albert). Richard Bonynge conducts the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

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Meet the Host

Debra Lew Harder joined the on-air staff of WRTI in 2016. She hosted and produced a range of programming across WRTI on-air and digital platforms, such as Midday Classics and Saturday Morning Classical Coffeehouse, in addition to serving as an artist interviewer for the Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert broadcasts. She is a concert pianist who has performed with orchestras and in recitals, including at Wigmore Hall in London, the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series in Chicago, and Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. She has also recorded two solo piano albums.

Lew Harder holds Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees from Kent State University and Northeast Ohio Medical University. She practiced as an emergency room physician before earning a second doctorate in music from the Ohio State University, where she studied piano with the American virtuoso Earl Wild.

Lew Harder served on the applied music faculty of Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges, and she is the co-director of Medicine + Music, a co-curricular program at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University that works closely with medical students through coachings, rehearsals, workshops, and performance opportunities to enhance their happiness and development as physicians.

Evening Music

Evening Music

Massenet’s Werther