Shakespeare’s tragedy of doomed young love receives a wonderful interpretation in Gounod’s opera. It combines all 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. Grand opera in grand form makes this one of the most exciting returns of a Season coloured by French repertory. |
