Prelude: Events & Performances

Composer: Charles Gounod
Librettist: Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on the play by William Shakespeare
Premiere: Théâtre-Lyrique, Paris, April 1867
Conductor: Ronald Zollman
Stage Director: Michael Ehrman
Set Designer: C. David Higgins
Costumes: Opéra de Montréal

Wherefore Art Thou?

Set in 14th-century Verona
Charles Gounod’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s love story is the most classically operatic of all renditions. The sumptuous score dazzles us with swirling waltzes, dramatic choruses, and sublime love duets. The opera closely follows the plot of the play, revealing elements of the deep love between Romeo and Juliet, secrecy of their marriage, bitterness of family feuds, and final tragedy of misunderstanding that leads to the lovers taking their own lives.

Sung in French with English supertitles

Opera Insights Pre-concert lecture at 7:00 p.m. in the Musical Arts Center Mezzanine