''Roméo et Juliette'' (''Romeo and Juliet'') is an opera in five acts by Charles Gounod to a
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
Romeo and Juliet
''Romeo and Juliet'' is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetim ...
'' by William Shakespeare. It was first performed at the Théâtre Lyrique (Théâtre-Lyrique Impérial du Châtelet), Paris on 27 April 1867. This opera is notable for the series of four duets for the main characters and the waltz song ''"Je veux vivre"'' for the soprano.
Performance history
Gounod's opera '' Faust'' had become popular at the Théâtre Lyrique since its premiere in 1859 (it was performed over 300 times between 1859 and 1868) and this led to a further commission from the director Carvalho.
Walsh, T. J.
Thomas Joseph Walsh (20 November 1911 – 8 November 1988) was an Irish doctor, writer, and founder and director of the Wexford Opera Festival.Boydell, B.: "Walsh, T(homas) J(oseph)", in: ''New Grove Dictionary of Opera'' (London and New York: Ma ...
. ''Second Empire Opera – The Théâtre-Lyrique Paris 1851–1870.'' John Calder, London, 1981. Behind the scenes there were difficulties in casting the lead tenor, and Gounod was said to have composed the last act twice, but after the public general rehearsal and first night it was hailed as a major success for the composer. Its success was aided by the presence of dignitaries in Paris for the
Exhibition
An exhibition, in the most general sense, is an organized presentation and display of a selection of items. In practice, exhibitions usually occur within a cultural or educational setting such as a museum, art gallery, park, library, exhibition ...
, several of whom attended performances. A parody soon appeared at the Théâtre Déjazet, entitled ''Rhum et eau en juillet'' (''Rum and Water in July'').
The opera entered the repertoire of the
Opéra-Comique
The Opéra-Comique is a Paris opera company which was founded around 1714 by some of the popular theatres of the Parisian fairs. In 1762 the company was merged with – and for a time took the name of – its chief rival, the Comédie-Italienne ...
on 20 January 1873 (with Deloffre and Carvalho returning to their roles from the premiere), where it received 391 performances in 14 years.Wolff, Stéphane. ''Un demi-siècle d'Opéra-Comique 1900–1950.'' André Bonne, Paris, 1953.
On 28 November 1888 ''Roméo et Juliette'' transferred to the Paris Opéra, with Adelina Patti and Jean de Reszke in the leading roles. The opera was first seen in London (with Patti and Mario) on 11 July 1867 and in New York (with
Minnie Hauk
Minnie Hauk in a cabinet card photograph, ca. 1880
Amalia Mignon Hauck "Minnie" Hauk (November 16, 1851 – February 6, 1929) was an American operatic first dramatic soprano than mezzo-soprano.
Early life
She was born in New York City on Novemb ...
Agustarello Affre
Agustarello Affre (23 October 1858 - 27 December 1931) was a French operatic tenor. He possessed a powerful, firm and exceptionally beautiful voice which garnered him the nickname the "French Tamagno" in comparison to the great Italian tenor. He ...
as Roméo,
Yvonne Gall
Yvonne Gall (6 March 1885 – 21 August 1972) was a French operatic lyric soprano.
Biography
Gall was born on 6 March 1885 in Paris.Henri Albers as Capulet and Marcel Journet as Laurent.
The opera is frequently staged by the world's opera houses.
Critical reception
Sutherland Edwards
Sutherland ( gd, Cataibh) is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area in the Highlands of Scotland. Its county town is Dornoch. Sutherland borders Caithness and Moray Firth to the east, Ross-shire and Cromartyshire (lat ...
, music critic of the ''St. James's Gazette'', wrote the following about the opera following its first London performance in 1867:
Gounod's ''Roméo et Juliette'', in which the composer is always pleasing, though seldom impressive, might be described as the powerful drama of ''Romeo and Juliet'' reduced to the proportions of an eclogue for Juliet and Romeo. One remembers the work as a series of very pretty duets, varied by a sparkling waltz air for Juliet, in which Madame Patti displays that tragic genius, which belongs to her equally, with the highest capacity for comedy. accai's'' Romeo e Giulietta'' is an admirable opera for Giulietta; in which Romeo is not forgotten.Quoted in Rosenthal 1958, p. 150.
Roles
Synopsis
The libretto follows the story of Shakespeare's play.
Act 1
''Overture prologue'':
A short chorus sets the scene of the rival families in Verona.
''A masked ball in the Capulets’ palace''
Tybalt talks to Pâris about Juliette, who appears with her father. Roméo, Mercutio, Benvolio and their friends enter, disguised, and Mercutio sings a ballad about Queen Mab, after which Juliette sings a joyful waltz song. The first meeting between Roméo and Juliette takes place, and they fall in love. But Tybalt re-appears and suspects that the hastily re-masked Roméo is his rival. While Tybalt wants immediate revenge, Capulet orders that the ball continue.
Act 2
''The Capulets' garden''
After Roméo's page Stephano has helped his master gain access, he reveals the two young lovers exchanging their vows of love.
Act 3
''Scene 1: Laurent's cell''
Roméo and Juliette, accompanied by Gertrude, go to the cell, and the wedding takes place. Laurent hopes that reconciliation between the houses of the Montagus and the Capulets may thus take place.
''Scene 2: a street near Capulet's palace''
Stephano sings to attract the occupants into the street. Gregoire and Stephano skirmish as men from each family appear. The duel is first between Tybalt and Mercutio, who falls dead, and then between Roméo, determined to avenge his comrade, and Tybalt. Tybalt is killed by Roméo, who is banished by the Duke.
Act 4
''Juliet's room at dawn''
Roméo and Juliette are together and, after a long duet, Roméo departs for exile. Juliette's father comes to remind her of Tybalt's dying wish for Juliette to marry Count Pâris. The friar gives Juliette a draught which will cause her to sleep, so as to appear as if dead and, after being laid in the family tomb, it is planned that Roméo will awaken her and take her away. ballet scene in the grand hall of the palace was inserted at this point.
Act 5
''Juliet's tomb''
Roméo breaks into the tomb after having taken poison because he believes that Juliette is dead. When she awakes from the friar's potion, the lovers' last duet is heard before the poison takes effect on Roméo. As her bridegroom weakens Juliette stabs herself, to be united with her lover in death.
References
;Notes
;Sources
* Huebner, Steven (1992). "''Roméo et Juliette'' (ii)", vol. 4, pp. 31–32, in '' The New Grove Dictionary of Opera'', edited by
Stanley Sadie
Stanley John Sadie (; 30 October 1930 – 21 March 2005) was an influential and prolific British musicologist, music critic, and editor. He was editor of the sixth edition of the '' Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'' (1980), which was publ ...
. New York: Grove. . Also available a Oxford Music Online (subscription required).
*
Rosenthal, Harold
Harold David Rosenthal OBE (30 September 1917 – 19 March 1987) was an English music critic, writer, lecturer, and broadcaster about opera. Originally a schoolmaster, he became drawn to music, particularly opera, and began working on musical ...
(1958). ''Two Centuries of Opera at Covent Garden''. London: Putnam. .