Synopsis
The action takes place in 14th-century Verona.
Prologue/Act I
(Scene 1) The Capulet Ball
A masked ball is in progress. Tybalt speaks to Count Paris of Juliette, to whom Count Paris is engaged and who, at that moment, appears with her father. Capulet greets his guests (“Allons! Jeunes gens! Allon! Belles dames!”).
Roméo, Mercutio, Benfolio, and some followers arrive in masks. Despite the deadly feud between the two houses, the Montagues have decided to come to the Capulets’ ball in disguise. Mercutio sings the ballad of Queen Mab, a number as gossamer-like in the opera as the monologue is in the play.
The Montagues head off to another part of the palace as Juliette returns with her nurse, Gertrude. Full of high spirits, she sings the graceful and animated waltz “Je veux vivre.”
Gertrude is called away and Roméo encounters Juliette. As in the play, they fall in love at first sight. Roméo passionately addresses his newfound love (“Ange adorable”).
Tybalt comes in and Roméo quickly replaces his mask, but Tybalt’s suspicions have been aroused, and Juliette learns that her new love is a Montague. Tybalt is ready to fight, but Count Capulet, respecting the laws of hospitality, orders that the ball continue.
(Scene 2) The Capulet Garden
Roméo is below Juliette’s apartment. He sings one of Gounod’s finest tenor arias, “Ah! Lève-toi soleil.” Juliette comes out on the balcony, and Roméo hides. From her soliloquy, he learns that though he is a Montague, she still loves him. Their exchange of pledges is interrupted as Gregorio and some servants search the garden for a suspected intruder. Gertrude calls, and Juliette goes into her apartment. Roméo sings “O nuit divine,” and Juliette again comes out to the balcony. The scene ends with a ravishing duet (“Ah! Ne fuis pas encore”).
Intermission (15 minutes)
ACT II
(Scene 1) Frère Laurent’s Quarters
Roméo and Juliette meet secretly in Frère Laurent’s cell. Hoping to end the dispute between the families, the Frère agrees to perform a marriage ceremony.
(Scene 2) Public square outside the Capulet Palace
Stéphano, Roméo’s page, thinking that Roméo may still be hiding in the Capulets’ garden, sings a lilting refrain (“Que fais-tu blanche tourterelle”), calculated to bring the Capulets out to the street, allowing Roméo to escape. Grégorio rushes out, and he and Stephano fight. This attracts various Montagues and Capulets, including Mercutio, who fights with Tybalt and is killed. Roméo in revenge, kills Tybalt. At this moment, the Duke of Verona appears and after hearing what happened, banishes Roméo from Verona.
Intermission (15 minutes)
ACT III
(Scene 1) Juliette's Bedroom
Roméo bids his farewell before he goes into exile. Roméo and Juliette have been secretly married by Frère Laurent. Their feelings of despair are reflected in the achingly beautiful duet “ Nuit d’hyménée, O douce nuit d’amour,” during which, Roméo hears the lark, a sign of dawn. Juliette protests that it is not the lark, and they stay together for a bit more.
Hardly has Roméo gone, than Gertrude appears to warn Juliette that her father is approaching with Frère Laurent. Tybalt’s dying wish, says Lord Capulet, was that Juliette marry Count Paris at once. Lord Capulet orders her to prepare to wed Count Paris, and no one dares tell him of Juliette’s secret marriage. Lord Capulet leaves and Frère Laurent gives Juliette a potion which, when taken, will make her appear dead (“Buvez donc ce brevage”). Juliette drinks the potion and falls senseless.
(Scene 2) The Capulet Tomb
Roméo has heard in exile of Juliette’s death. He returns and breaks into the vault (“Salut, tombeau sombre et silencieux”). He sings to what he believes to be Juliette’s corpse (“O ma femme! O ma bien aimée!”). He then takes poison. Juliette, who is beginning to recover from the effects of the potion and is unaware that Roméo is dying, awakens. They reunite joyfully (“Viens, fuyons au bout du monde”), but it is too late. Roméo, feeling the effects of the poison, tells Juliette what he has done (“Console-toi, pauvre-ame). Juliette will not live without Roméo and stabs herself.
