Roméo et Juliette (Romeo and Juliet) is an opera in five acts by Charles Gounod to a French libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on Romeo and Juliet 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.[1]
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.[2] 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, several of whom attended performances. A parody soon appeared at the Théâtre Déjazet, entitled Rhum et eau en juillet (Rum and Water in July).[2]
Jean de Reszke as Roméo (Paris, 1888)
The opera entered the repertoire of the Opéra-Comique on 20 January 1873 (with Deloffre and Carvalho returning to their roles from the premiere), where it received 391 performances in 14 years.[3] On 28 November 1888 Roméo et Juliette transferred to the Paris Opéra, with Adelina Patti and Jean de Reszke in the leading roles.[3] The opera was first seen in London (with Patti and Mario) on 11 July 1867 and in New York (with Minnie Hauk) at the Academy of Music on 15 November of that year.[4]
The opera is frequently staged by the world's opera houses.[5]
Critical reception
Sutherland Edwards, 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. [Vaccai's] Romeo e Giulietta is an admirable opera for Giulietta; in which Romeo is not forgotten.[6]
Male and female retainers and kinsmen of the Houses of Capulet and Montague, maskers
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
Press illustration of Act 3, scene 2, as staged in the original production
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. [A 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.[8]
References
Notes
^Huebner S. The Operas of Charles Gounod. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1992.
^ abWalsh TJ. Second Empire Opera – The Théâtre-Lyrique Paris 1851-1870. John Calder Ltd, London, 1981.
^ abWolff, Stéphane. Un demi-siècle d'Opéra-Comique 1900–1950. André Bonne, Paris, 1953.
^Kobbé, Gustave. Kobbé's Complete Opera Book, ed Harewood. Putnam, London & New York, 1954.
^"Performances, Romeo et Juliette by city". operabase.com. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
Libretto of Roméo et Juliette in French and English
showing revisions to the end of Act 3 and opening of Act 4.
March 18, 2023
roméo, juliette, other, works, based, original, shakespeare, play, romeo, juliet, disambiguation, romeo, juliet, opera, five, acts, charles, gounod, french, libretto, jules, barbier, michel, carré, based, romeo, juliet, william, shakespeare, first, performed, . For other works based on the original Shakespeare play see Romeo and Juliet disambiguation Romeo et Juliette Romeo and Juliet is an opera in five acts by Charles Gounod to a French libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carre based on Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare It was first performed at the Theatre Lyrique Theatre Lyrique Imperial du Chatelet 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 1 Romeo et JulietteOpera by Charles GounodAdelina Patti and Mario in the title roles Act 2 in a London production of 1867LibrettistJules Barbier Michel CarreLanguageFrenchBased onRomeo and Julietby ShakespearePremiere27 April 1867 1867 04 27 Theatre Lyrique Paris Contents 1 Performance history 2 Critical reception 3 Roles 4 Synopsis 4 1 Act 1 4 2 Act 2 4 3 Act 3 4 4 Act 4 4 5 Act 5 5 References 6 External linksPerformance history EditGounod s opera Faust had become popular at the Theatre 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 2 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 several of whom attended performances A parody soon appeared at the Theatre Dejazet entitled Rhum et eau en juillet Rum and Water in July 2 Jean de Reszke as Romeo Paris 1888 The opera entered the repertoire of the Opera Comique on 20 January 1873 with Deloffre and Carvalho returning to their roles from the premiere where it received 391 performances in 14 years 3 On 28 November 1888 Romeo et Juliette transferred to the Paris Opera with Adelina Patti and Jean de Reszke in the leading roles 3 The opera was first seen in London with Patti and Mario on 11 July 1867 and in New York with Minnie Hauk at the Academy of Music on 15 November of that year 4 In 1912 the opera was recorded complete for the first time with Agustarello Affre as Romeo Yvonne Gall as Juliette Henri Albers as Capulet and Marcel Journet as Laurent The opera is frequently staged by the world s opera houses 5 Critical reception EditSutherland Edwards music critic of the St James s Gazette wrote the following about the opera following its first London performance in 1867 Gounod s Romeo 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 Vaccai s Romeo e Giulietta is an admirable opera for Giulietta in which Romeo is not forgotten 6 Roles EditRole Voice type 7 Premiere Cast 27 April 1867 Conductor Adolphe Deloffre 8 Romeo son of Montague tenor Pierre Jules MichotJuliette daughter of Capulet soprano Marie Caroline Miolan CarvalhoFrere Laurent bass Jean CazauxMercutio Romeo s friend baritone Auguste Armand BarreGertrude Juliet s nurse mezzo soprano Eleonore Ragaine DuclosTybalt Lady Capulet s nephew tenor Jules Henri PugetBenvolio Montague s nephew tenor Pierre Marie LaurentCount Capulet bass Eugene TroyParis a young count baritone LaveissiereThe Duke bass Emile WartelGregorio Capulet s servant baritone Etienne TroyFrere Jean bass NeveuStephano Romeo s page mezzo soprano trouser role Josephine DaramMale and female retainers and kinsmen of the Houses of Capulet and Montague maskersSynopsis EditThe libretto follows the story of Shakespeare s play Act 1 Edit Overture prologue A short chorus sets the scene of the rival families in Verona A masked ball in the Capulets palaceTybalt talks to Paris about Juliette who appears with her father Romeo 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 Romeo and Juliette takes place and they fall in love But Tybalt re appears and suspects that the hastily re masked Romeo is his rival While Tybalt wants immediate revenge Capulet orders that the ball continue Act 2 Edit The Capulets gardenAfter Romeo s page Stephano has helped his master gain access he reveals the two young lovers exchanging their vows of love Act 3 Edit Press illustration of Act 3 scene 2 as staged in the original production Scene 1 Laurent s cellRomeo 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 palaceStephano 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 Romeo determined to avenge his comrade and Tybalt Tybalt is killed by Romeo who is banished by the Duke Act 4 Edit Juliet s room at dawnRomeo and Juliette are together and after a long duet Romeo departs for exile Juliette s father comes to remind her of Tybalt s dying wish for Juliette to marry Count Paris 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 Romeo will awaken her and take her away A ballet scene in the grand hall of the palace was inserted at this point Act 5 Edit Juliet s tombRomeo 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 Romeo As her bridegroom weakens Juliette stabs herself to be united with her lover in death 8 References EditNotes Huebner S The Operas of Charles Gounod Oxford Oxford University Press 1992 a b Walsh TJ Second Empire Opera The Theatre Lyrique Paris 1851 1870 John Calder Ltd London 1981 a b Wolff Stephane Un demi siecle d Opera Comique 1900 1950 Andre Bonne Paris 1953 Kobbe Gustave Kobbe s Complete Opera Book ed Harewood Putnam London amp New York 1954 Performances Romeo et Juliette by city operabase com Retrieved 16 September 2018 Quoted in Rosenthal 1958 p 150 Voice types are from Huebner 1992 p 31 a b Romeo et Juliette charles gounod com Retrieved 17 September 2018 SourcesHuebner Steven 1992 Romeo et Juliette ii vol 4 pp 31 32 in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera edited by Stanley Sadie New York Grove ISBN 0333734327 Also available at Oxford Music Online subscription required Rosenthal Harold 1958 Two Centuries of Opera at Covent Garden London Putnam OCLC 593682 503687870 External links EditRomeo et Juliette Scores at the International Music Score Library Project Libretto of Romeo et Juliette in French and English Facsimile of Gounod s ms at Juilliard library showing revisions to the end of Act 3 and opening of Act 4 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Romeo et Juliette amp oldid 1135039158, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
