Shakespeare’s tragedy of doomed young love receives a wonderful interpretation in Gounod’s opera, combining all of the drama of the well-known story and the emotional and stirring music typical of the composer of Faust.
Not presented by The Royal Opera for a decade, Nicolas Joël’s production is revived with a fantastic cast conducted by French specialist Daniel Oren, and that has Piotr Beczala and Nino Machaidze/María Alejandres as the star-crossed lovers. The opera is especially famous for its love duets and for such sparkling numbers as Juliette’s Act I waltz song, but the whole score is full of passion, melody and excitement. With the many ensembles, choruses and characters it is a wonderful showcase for the talents of the Royal Opera Chorus and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
Sung in French with English surtitles.