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Overview

Synopsis

In this retelling of Shakespeare's story, two families in Verona, the Capulets and the Montagues, are bitter enemies. Conflict ensues when Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, fall in love. The two young lovers exchange secret vows, but within hours a fight has broken out between the two families, once again. Romeo's friend, Mercutio, is killed by Count Capulet's nephew, Tybalt. Despite his newfound alliance with the Capulets, Romeo, distraught over the loss of his friend, fights Tybalt and murders him. As a result, Romeo is forced into exile. Forced by her father to marry Paris when she is already secretly married to Romeo, Juliet takes a potion that will make her appear dead so as to fool her family. Tragically, Romeo, who is unable to receive a message from the Friar relaying this information, thinks she is in fact dead and kills himself before discovering the truth. Romeo et Juliette is a masterpiece of the French composer Charles Gounod and is a Grand Opera. The style of Grand Opera was often in five act structure and almost always featured a ballet because many theaters had their own ballet company. This piece is no exception and has a stunning ballet in the fourth act; however, it is often cut nowadays. This opera is a grand and sweeping retelling of one of the best and most tragic love stories of all time, and illuminates the passion of the young lovers.

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
William Shakespeare
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1867
Genres
Romance
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
verona, italy, 14th century
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal For
College/University, Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Early Teen, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Juliet

Lead

Female

Soprano

Romeo

Lead

Male

Tenor

Mercutio

Lead

Male

Baritone

Friar Laurent

Supporting

Male

Bass

Count Capulet

Supporting

Male

Bass

Tybalt

Supporting

Male

Tenor

The Duke of Verona

Featured

Male

Bass

Stephano

Featured

Male

Soprano

Gertrude

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Gregorio

Featured

Male

Baritone

Benvolio

Featured

Male

Tenor

Paris

Featured

Male

Baritone

Friar Jean

Ensemble

Male

Bass

Songs

  • Overture & Prologue - Verone vit jadis deux familles rivales (Chorus)

  • Act 1

  • Introduction - L’Heure S’envole (Chorus, Juliet, Tybalt, Paris, Capulet)
  • Aria - Mab, la reine des mensonges (Mercutio)
  • Aria - Je veux vivre (Juliet)
  • Duet - Ange adorable (Romeo, Juliet)
  • Finale - Quelqu’un! C’est mon cousin Tybalt (Juliet, Romeo, Tybalt, Mercutio, Paris, Capulet)

  • Act 2

  • Chorus - Mystérieux et sombre (Chorus)
  • Aria - Ah! Leve-toi Soleil (Romeo)
  • Scene & Chorus - Helas! Moi le hair! (Juliet, Gertrude, Romeo, Gregorio)
  • Duet - O nuit divine, je t’implore (Juliet, Romeo)

  • Act 3

  • Scene - Mon père, Dieu vous garde! (Juliet, Romeo, Friar Laurence)
  • Trio & Quartet - Dieu, qui fis l’homme à ton image (Friar Laurence,
  • Aria - Depuis hier je cherche en vain mon maître (Stephano)
  • Finale - Ah! Ah! Voici nos gens!

  • Act 4

  • Duet - Va! Je t’ai pardonné (Juliet, Romeo)
  • Quartet - Juliette! Ah! Le ciel soit loué! (Juliet, Gertrude, Capulet, F. Laurence)
  • Scene - Mon père! Tout m’accable! (F. Laurence, Juliet)
  • Aria - Dieu! Quel frisson! (Juliet)

  • Ballet

  • Nuptial Procession
  • Epithalamium - O Juliette, sois heureuse!
  • Finale - Ma fille, cède aux voeux!

  • Act 5

  • Scene - Eh bien! Ma lettre à Romeo? (F. Laurence)
  • Juliet’s Slumber
  • Scene & Duet - C’est là! Salut! Tombeau! (Juliet, Romeo)

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

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Scenes

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