Act I-
The Grand Hall in the palace of the Capulets.
A masked ball is in progress. Tybalt speaks to Paris of Juliette, to whom Paris is engaged and who at that moment appears with her father. Capulet greets his guests—[Allons! Jeunes gens! Allons! Belles dames!] Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio 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 Juliet returns with her nurse, Gertrude. Full of high spirits, she sings the graceful and animated waltz, [Je veux vivre] Gertrude is called away, and Romeo encounters Juliette. As in the play, they fall in love at first sight. Romeo passionately addresses his new found love [Ange adorable] Tybalt comes in and Romeo quickly replaces his mask. But Tybalt's suspicions have been aroused , and Juliette learns that her new found love is a Montague. Tybalt is ready to fight, but the old Count Capulet, respecting the laws of hospitality, orders that the ball continue.

Act II-
Scene 1 – The Garden of the Capulets.
Romeo is below Juliette's apartment. He sings one of Gounod's finest tenor arias, [ Ah! Leve-toi soleil] Juliette comes out on the balcony and Romeo 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. Romeo sings [O nuit divine] and Juliette again comes out to the balcony. The scene ends with ravishing duet [Ah! Ne fuis pas encore!]
Scene 2 – A street near Capulet's house.
Stephano thinking that Romeo may still be hiding in the Capulet's garden sings a lilting refrain [ Que fais-tu blanche tourterelle] calculated to bring the Capulets out to the street allowing Romeo to escape. Gregorio rushes out and he and Stephano fight. This attracts various Montagues and Capulets, including Mercutio, who fights with Tybalt and is killed. Romeo in revenge, kills Tybalt. At this moment, the Duke of Verona appears and after hearing what happened, vanishes Romeo from Verona.

Act III-
Scene 1- Juliette's Room.
Romeo bids his farewell before he goes into exile. They have been secretly married by Frere Laurent. Their feelings of despair are reflected in the achingly beautiful duet [Nuit d'hymenee, O douce nuit d'amour] during which Romeo 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 Romeo gone than Gertrude appears to warn Juliette that her father is approaching with Friar Lawrence. Tybalt's dying wish, says Lord Capulet, was that Juliette marry Count Paris at once. Lord Capulet orders her to prepare to wed Paris and no one dares tell him of Juliette's secret marriage. Lord Capulet leaves and Frere Laurent gives Juliette a potion which, when taken, will make heer appear dead [ Buvez donc ce breuvage] Juliette drinks the potion and falls senseless.
Scene 2- The tomb of the Capulets
Romeo has heard in exile of Juliette's death. He returns and breaks into the vault [Salut, tombeau somber et silencieux]. He sings to what he believes to be the Juliette's corpse [O ma femme! O ma bien aimee!] . He then takes poison. Juliette, who is beginning to recover from the effects of the potion and is unaware that Romeo is dying, awakens. They sing [Viens, fuyons au bout du monde] but it is too late: Romeo, feeling the effects of the poison, tells Juliette what he has done. [Console-toi, pauvre-ame]. Juliette will not live without Romeo and stabs herself.

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