The Capulets and the Montagues

When, in 1830, Vincenzo Bellini took up the task of adapting Romeo and Juliet for La Fenice in Venice, he had only six weeks in which to compose an opera. Felice Romani, his librettist ever since his first successful opera, Il Pirata, chose to go back, beyond Shakespeare, to the Italian sources of the myth. The drama is now more sombre: the quarrel between the two families has become a veritable war. In the very title chosen by Bellini, the families’ names have eclipsed those of Romeo and Juliet, just as the conflict poisons their passion. The opera also resurrects a scene that Shakespeare omitted: when Juliet, whom Romeo believed to be dead, awakens in the tomb, the two lovers are permitted a brief exchange before succumbing to eternal sleep. The director Robert Carsen sets the lyrical expression of these inextricably entwined lives in an austere decor illuminated by ardent love. A love transcended by Bellini's tender, dreamlike score.

ACT I 

Inside the Capulets’ palace. Capellio, fearing an imminent attack from the Montagues, appeals to his men to be ready to confront them. Despite calls for peace and an end to the feud between the enemy clans from his counsellor Lorenzo, Capellio swears to kill Romeo, the leader of the opposing clan and murderer of his son. He promises his daughter Giulietta in marriage to Tebaldo, the most steadfast of his followers. A young envoy from the Montagues presents himself to the Capulets; it is none other than Romeo, who, loving Giulietta and loved by her in return, has come incognito to try to achieve a lasting reconciliation between the two families, which can only be secured through the marriage of their children. Capellio proudly refuses and announces that Giulietta is soon to marry Tebaldo. Realising that war is inevitable, Romeo decides to go and prepare his men for combat. In Giulietta’s bedchamber. Though racked by despair, Giulietta is resigning herself to marriage with Tebaldo when Lorenzo, who is party to the feelings the two young lovers hold for each other, secretly brings Romeo to her. He reveals that his appeal to her father has not met with success and implores her to flee with him. Torn between her passion for Romeo and the bonds of duty to her father, Giulietta refuses dishonour. In the Capulets’ palace. The marriage of Giulietta and Tebaldo is about to be celebrated when Romeo, dressed as a Capulet, joins the guests intending to prevent the ceremony. He again tries to take the young girl away with him, but the lovers are disturbed by Capellio and Tebaldo. Romeo is unmasked and is only saved by the intercession of his kinsmen, who have entered the Capulets’ palace in disguise. A fight between the members of the two clans ensues. 

ACT II 

In the Capulets’ palace. Giulietta, worried about the fate of her lover, is soon reassured by Lorenzo that Romeo has escaped the battle unscathed. To save her from an enforced marriage Lorenzo suggests she drink a philtre which will plunge her into a sleep so deep she will appear to be dead. She will be carried to the Capulets’ vault where Romeo, having been informed of the subterfuge, will be present when she awakens. Alarmed by the sudden arrival of her father, she drinks the philtre, but before sinking into unconsciousness she asks him to pardon her. Capellio remains unbending. He withdraws commanding his guards to keep Lorenzo under close watch. In front of the Capulets’ palace. Romeo, worried at having received no message, has come to look for Lorenzo at the Capulet’s palace. Surprised by his rival, Tebaldo, he provokes a violent duel, which is soon cut short by a funeral choir lamenting Giulietta’s death. Distraught, both men cease fighting. In the Capulets’ vault. Romeo has succeeded in entering the sepulchre. Desperately contemplating the young girl he believes dead, he poisons himself. A little later, Giulietta slowly comes out of her stupor and sees her lover. Her happiness is short-lived, for Romeo is dying at her side. She kills herself and falls stricken onto the young man’s corpse. The Capulets and the Montagues discover their children dead and blame one another for the fatal dénouement.