Romeo and Juliet

February 22. 2016 - March 19. 2016

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February 22. 2016 - March 19. 2016

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New-to-Chicago Production Romeo and Juliet

He's a Montague and she's a Capulet — families who have hated each other for centuries. Yet when Romeo meets Juliet, they fall instantly and rapturously in love. Secretly, they marry — but Shakespeare's famed young couple is ultimately doomed. Everything that could have been is lost as they die tragically in each other's arms.

The world's most celebrated love story finds new dimension in Gounod's deeply romantic music. This is passion personified, from tender intimacy to ecstatic grandeur, including five iconic love duets and soaring music for the chorus and orchestra. With her "exquisite" voice of "purity and bloom" (The New York Times) Susanna Phillips will be a Juliet to remember, while Joseph Calleja and Eric Cutler embody all the elegance and golden ardor that Romeo demands.

Language: In French with projected English titles
Running Time: 3 hours 5 minutes including 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House

Romeo and Juliet videos

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Gounod's Romeo and Juliet at Lyric Opera of Chicago

He's a Montague and she's a Capulet — families who have hated each other for centuries. Yet when Romeo meets Juliet, they fall instantly and rapturously in love.

Catherine Zuber discusses the costumes of Gounod's Romeo and Juliet

He's a Montague and she's a Capulet — families who have hated each other for centuries. Yet when Romeo meets Juliet, they fall instantly and rapturously in love.

Susanna Phillips & Christian Van Horn Discuss Gounod's Romeo and Juliet

He's a Montague and she's a Capulet — families who have hated each other for centuries. Yet when Romeo meets Juliet, they fall instantly and rapturously in love.

Fight Director, B.H. Barry, talks about the fights in Lyric's Romeo and Juliet

Acclaimed fight director, B.H. Barry, discusses the intense sword play that he has created for Lyric's production of Gounod's Romeo and Juliet.

Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher talks about Gounod's Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

by Charles Gounod

Warner Classics – Gheorghiu, Alagna, cond. Plasson
Warner Classics is the Official Education and Promotion Music Provider of Lyric Opera.

“Je veux vivre”

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“Ah, lève-toi, soleil”

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Romeo and Juliet

by Charles Gounod

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Commentary by Roger Pines, Dramaturg

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Romeo and Juliet articles

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A Love Story for the Ages: Romeo and Juliet

Lyric's production of Romeo & Juliet coincides with Shakespeare 400 Chicago, a yearlong international arts festival to commemorate the quadricentennial of William Shakespeare's death. Known as one of the greatest poets and playwrights to have ever lived, Shakespeare is alive and well today in spirit through his works more than ever.

Famed fight director B.H. Barry on Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed lovers from feuding families wouldn't be the same without the nail-biting fight scenes between the Montagues and the Capulets. Tony-Award winner and Broadway's premiere fight director B.H. Barry is the man behind the duels.

Love is in the Air as Sparks Fly in Romeo and Juliet

The reviews are in for Lyric's Romeo and Juliet. See for yourself what the experts are saying!

Romeo and Juliet Opera Synopsis

TIME: Renaissance
PLACE: Verona, Italy

Lords and ladies arrive at Lord Capulet’s home for a masked ball (Chorus: L’heure s’envole). Tybalt, the host’s nephew, teases Count Paris about Juliet, the latter’s betrothed. Capulet introduces his daughter to his guests. Juliet responds to their admiration and expresses her excitement about the ball. Capulet invites everyone to enjoy themselves. When Romeo and Mercutio appear with their friends, Romeo admits his reluctance to attend the ball, having been preoccupied by a troubling dream. Mercutio blithely remarks that his friend has been visited by Queen Mab, who presides over all dreams (Ballad: Mab, la reine des mensonges).

Already in love with Rosaline, Romeo is assured by Mercutio that at the ball his attention will be drawn to a hundred other girls who will make him forget all about her. Suddenly he sees Juliet from afar, and is transfixed by her beauty. Mercutio drags him away as Juliet appears, talking with her nurse, Gertrude. The nurse reminds her charge that she was herself already married at Juliet’s age, but Juliet is hardly thinking about marriage – she prefers to prolong her youthful dream (Ariette: Je veux vivre). Gregorio, a Capulet retainer, calls the nurse away, leaving Romeo free to woo Juliet (Madrigal: Ange adorable). He is horrified when she identifies herself as Lord Capulet’s daughter. A suspicious Tybalt returns to summon his cousin Juliet, and Romeo realizes she is Lord Capulet’s daughter. Recognizing his voice as that of Romeo, a member of the enemy Montague family, Tybalt swears revenge. Eager to keep his guests’ spirits lighthearted, Capulet invites them once again to drink and dance.
Although it is nearly dawn, Romeo lingers outside Lord Capulet’s home. He compares Juliet with the rising sun (Cavatina: Ah! lèvetoi, soleil!). When she appears on her balcony, he surprises her and ardently declares his love. Romeo hides when Gregorio and some Capulet servants appear, searching for Romeo’s page, Stephano, whom they believe has been seen in the area. They tease Gertrude before leaving. The nurse takes Juliet inside, but she soon reappears to bid goodnight to Romeo. She informs him that, if he does indeed wish to marry her, he should send word the next day as to where and when they should meet. Romeo begs her not to leave him yet (Duet: Ah! ne fuis pas encore!). After a final goodnight, Juliet goes inside and Romeo asks the breeze to send her his kiss.
Scene 1.

Early the next morning, Friar Laurence is astonished to be greeted by Romeo. Well aware of the Capulet/Montague enmity, the friar expresses grave apprehension when Romeo confesses that he loves a Capulet. Accompanied by her nurse, Juliet appears and confirms that Romeo must be her bridegroom. The friar agrees to perform the marriage ceremony, and the three are joined by Gertrude in proclaiming their joy (Quartet: O pur bonheur).

Intermission

Scene 2.

Having failed to find his master during the past day, Stephano amuses himself by singing a mocking serenade outside Lord Capulet’s home (Chanson: Que fais-tu, blanche tourterelle). The song draws Gregorio and members of the Capulet household into the street. They tease the young Stephano, who then provokes Gregorio into a sword fight. Mercutio steps in to defend Stephano, just as Tybalt arrives on the scene, and the two launch into raucous swordplay. When Romeo appears, Tybalt – remembering his enemy’s wooing of his cousin Juliet – challenges him, but Romeo refuses to fight. He begs Mercutio to restrain himself, but the fury of both Tybalt and Mercutio boils over. Urged on by their respective allies, they battle each other relentlessly until Tybalt deals Mercutio a fatal wound. Mercutio curses the houses of both Capulet and Montague before he dies. Now desperate for revenge, Romeo takes sword in hand and kills Tybalt. The Duke of Verona arrives and castigates both families for the violence. Rather than the expected sentence of death, the Duke orders Romeo into exile. Overcome by misery (Finale: Ah! jour de deuil), Romeo vows to see Juliet once more.
At dawn Romeo rushes to Juliet, who comforts and supports him following the death of Tybalt. They quickly become overwhelmed by their love (Duet: Nuit d’hyménée), only to be interrupted by daylight and a lark’s singing. After a prolonged and passionate farewell, Romeo tears himself from Juliet’s arms and rushes away.

Accompanied by Friar Laurence, Lord Capulet enters Juliet’s room, urging his daughter to ready herself for her wedding to Count Paris. Remaining behind to counsel Juliet, Friar Laurence is confronted by the despairing Juliet. He conspires with her and offers her a potion that will induce a deathlike sleep, from which she will eventually be awakened by Romeo. When finally alone, Juliet calls on love to give her courage (Aria: Amour, ranime mon courage) and drinks the potion. When her father and Paris appear for the marriage ceremony, she collapses and appears to be dead.
Romeo enters Juliet’s crypt and sadly greets the sight of her seemingly dead body. After kissing her, he draws a bottle from his tunic and drinks the poison it contains. Moments later Juliet awakens, and she greets Romeo joyfully. The two look forward to leaving Verona forever (Duet Finale: Viens! fuyons au bout du monde!). Suddenly the poison takes effect, which forces Romeo to confess what he has done. Distraught that he has left no poison for her, Juliet takes his dagger and, with Romeo’s help, stabs herself. With their last breath, the lovers ask God’s forgiveness.

Program book

Go inside this production of Romeo and Juliet with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

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Meet The Artists

Joseph Calleja

Romeo

(Feb 22-Mar 8)

Calleja made his Luisa Miller role debut in Hamburg, and triumphed in the role at Lyric (2019|20)

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Eric Cutler

Romeo

(Mar 11-19)

Iowa-born tenor Eric Cutler's Lyric credits include Romeo/ Romeo and Juliet (2015|16)

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Susanna Phillips

Juliet

Ryan Opera Center alumna

Susanna Phillips is an Alabama-born soprano and Ryan Opera Center alumna.

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Joshua Hopkins

Mercutio

Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins is international recognized as one of the finest singer-actors of his generation.

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Christian Van Horn

Friar Laurence

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

The American bass-baritone, a Ryan Opera Center alumnus and winner of the 2018 Richard Tucker Award has appeared in many roles on Lyric's stage.

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Marianne Crebassa

Stephano

The French mezzo-soprano has dazzled at Lyric in roles like Rosina/The Barber of Seville and Dorabella/Così fan tutte.

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Deborah Nansteel

Gertrude

American mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel's Lyric credits include Suzuki/Madama Butterfly (2019|20).

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Philip Horst

Capulet

Bass-baritone Philip Horst's Lyric credits include Orest’s Tutor/Elektra (2018|19); Pantheus/Les Troyens (2016|17).

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Jason Slayden

Tybalt

American tenor Jason Slayden made his Lyric debut as Tybalt/ Romeo and Juliet (2015|16)

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David Govertsen

Bass-baritone

Bass-baritone's Lyric credits include David and Bonobo/ Second Nature (2015|16)

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Mingjie Lei

Benvolio

The Chinese tenor is a second-year Ryan Opera Center member

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Takaoki Onishi

Paris

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Ryan Opera Center alumnus Takaoki Onishi's Lyric credits include Marullo/Rigoletto (2017|18) and Captain/ Eugene Onegin (2016/17)

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Anthony Clark Evans

Gregorio

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Anthony Clark Evans has sung twelve roles at Lyric Opera since his 2013|14 season debut

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Emmanuel Villaume

Conductor

The French conductor has been consistently acclaimed for appearances with the most prominent opera companies and symphony orchestras around the world.

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Bartlett Sher

Director

Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher made his Lyric Opera debut with Romeo and Juliet (2015|16)

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Michael Yeargan

Set Designer

He has created sets (and sometimes costumes) for many major American companies, among them the Metropolitan Opera (12 productions to date) and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, and Washington opera companies, as well as the Glimmerglass Festival, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Frankfurt Opera, and Opera Australia.

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Catherine Zuber

Costume Designer

British-born designer Catherine Zuber's Lyric credits include The Barber of Seville (2019|20), Romeo and Juliet (2015|16); The Barber of Seville (2013|14).

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Jennifer Tipton

Lighting Designer

American Lighting Designer Jennifer Tipton has worked with Lyric Opera since 1988.

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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Chase Brock

Choreographer

American choreographer Chase Brock made his Lyric debut with Romeo and Juliet (2015|16)

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B.H. Barry

Fight Director

English fight director B. H. Barry's Lyric credits include Romeo and Juliet (2015|16) and The Ghost of Versailles (1995|96)

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