Romeo and Juliet

Opera in 5 actsLibretto: Jules Barbier and Michel Carré according to the tragedy of William Shakespeare Premiere: 27/04/1867, ParisPremiere of this production: 3/05/2025, DresdenProduction: Semperoper DresdenOriginal French language version with Polish and English subtitles

The story of Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous myths in modern culture appearing in drama, musical and film, among others. Already in the 19th century, composers discovered the strength inherent in the tragedy of the lovers of Verona. One of them was Charles Gounod, one of the most popular French artists of his time, writing religious music, oratorios and songs, also performing on the stage of the opera theatre. Romeo and Juliet, alongside Faust, is his most popular stage work. The composition gained notoriety already at the premiere in Paris, which took place during the World Exhibition in 1867, quickly gaining fame not only in Europe, but also in the United States.

However, this was not the first 19th century composition using the Romeo and Juliet motif, it was previously used by, among others, Vincenzo Bellini and Hector Berlioz. The libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré follows the original quite faithfully, although it is inspired by a later remake of Shakespeare's play by the famous 18th century actor David Garrick. He removed controversial passages that could offend the audience, and above all changed the ending a bit, adding a common scene of the title characters before their deaths. Gounod's version does not focus so much on the social aspect of the doomed relationship — it lacks the final reconciliation of families in the face of tragedy, the emphasis is on the individual drama of the lovers. That is why the eponymous couple is not only fulfilled in solo fragments: we get to know the exuberant character of Julia thanks to the coloratura aria Je veux vivre, kept in the form of a waltz. Romeo, on the other hand, is presented as a passionate lover in the Cavatin Ah! Get up sun! , although the most important in the opera are the four love duos that approximate the next stages of Romeo and Juliet's relationship. Gounod captures the characters' infatuation with a graceful minuet, then shows how their relationship is cemented, how it falls apart due to adverse circumstances, and how it fades in the face of death. Thanks to graceful melodies, subtle harmonies and sophisticated orchestration, the composer manages to navigate between tragedy and lyricism.

In her production at the Semperoper in Dresden, director Barbara Wysocka presents the story of Romeo and Juliet as thoroughly contemporary. Wysocka emphasizes how Shakespearean story resonates with the present times — it is a story of people who desperately seek closeness in a world where love and closeness have no place. Vysocka does not refer directly to specific political events — it shows a system that fails, a society that does not need a majority to commit violence. It is a world that escalates conflict, forces choice of side, takes away privacy. And in it, two people are looking for love.

Cast: Edgar Lewandowski, Piotr Piotrowski, Bartłomiej Prokopowicz, Jan Samoszak, Adam Stelmashczyk, Michał Stępien, Miroslaw Wojtyński

Choir and Orchestra of the Grand Theatre - National Opera