The National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Mussorgsky, Rachmaninov and Shostakovich. 
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Interview with Sir Mark Elder
Sorry, you must enable Javascript to display media contentHear extended interview between Donald Macleod and Sir Mark Elder.
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Sean Rafferty talks to Sir Mark Elder and Elína Garanca
Sorry, you must enable Javascript to display media contentSean Rafferty in conversation with conductor Sir Mark Elder and mezzo-soprano Elína Garanca(excerpt from In Tune 26 February 09)
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Production Photos
See a selection of photos of the Royal Opera production.
Photo Gallery of I Capuleti e I Montecchi -
Synopsis
The opera is set in Verona in the 13th century.
The Capuleti and Montecchi families are sworn enemies and have been feuding for many years.
The struggle between them has been particularly bitter since Romeo, the son of the Montecchi leader, killed the son of Capellio, leader of the Capuleti, in a fight.
Romeo is in love with Capellio’s daughter, Giulietta. -
Act 1 Scene 1: A hall in Capellio’s palazzo
The Capuleti gather at dawn and swear vengeance on the Montecchi for the death of Capellio’s son.
Tebaldo, in love with Capellio’s daughter Giulietta, joins in the oath with special ardour (È serbata, è serbata a quest’acciaro).
Capellio has rejected the advice of his friend Lorenzo to end the feud with the Montecchi, and announces that Tebaldo will marry Giulietta that very day.
Lorenzo tells him that the girl is ill and could only be taken to the altar by force.
Tebaldo declares that he would rather suffer a thousand days of grief than cause Giulietta to suffer (L’amo tanto).
Capellio reassures him that Giulietta will marry him.
Romeo enters, unrecognized, as the envoy of the Montecchi.
He offers terms for peace, to be sealed by the marriage of Giulietta to Romeo (Se Romeo t’uccise un figlio).
The Capuleti scornfully reject his offer and call for war.
Romeo replies that the Montecchi will fight but that the Capuleti will bear the guilt for the bloodshed (La tremenda ultrice spada). -
Act 1 Scene 2: Giulietta’s room
Giulietta reflects on the contrast between the joyful preparations for her wedding and her own misery.
She longs to see Romeo (Oh! quante volte). Lorenzo enters and tells Giulietta that Romeo is in Verona and has come in secret to see her.
Romeo is brought in, and Lorenzo leaves the pair alone together. They greet each other passionately, and Romeo urges Giulietta to escape with him (Sì, fuggire!).
But she resists, out of a sense of duty to her father.
Romeo pleads with her, but she refuses to leave with him, even when he threatens to stay and face a fight to the death with Capellio.
In despair, Romeo leaves. -
Act 1 Scene 3: An internal courtyard in Capellio’s palazzo
The celebrations are beginning for the wedding of Tebaldo and Giulietta (Lieta notte).
Lorenzo and Romeo enter. Romeo reveals that his supporters are planning to storm the palazzo to prevent the wedding.
Lorenzo is torn between his sympathy for the lovers and his loyalty to Capellio.
The noise of battle is heard, and Romeo rushes off to join the fight.
Giulietta is reflecting on the bloodshed and her love for Romeo (Tace il fragor) when Romeo returns, and once more attempts to get her to escape with him.
Before he can take her away, Capellio, Tebaldo and the Capuleti are upon him.
They still believe him to be simply an envoy for the Montecchi.
When Romeo declares he is Tebaldo’s rival, all express their fury and pray for help (Soccorso, sostegno accordale, o cielo).
The Montecchi burst in to save Romeo, revealing his identity. Everyone is outraged (Se ogni speme è a noi rapita). -
Act 2 Scene 1: An internal courtyard in Capellio’s palazzo
Giulietta is alone, torn between her feelings for her lover and her family.
Lorenzo comes to tell her that Romeo has been taken to safety by his men, but that she will be taken to Tebaldo’s castle unless she follows Lorenzo’s plan to unite her with Romeo.
She must take a potion which will make her appear dead; she will then be buried in the Capuleti family tomb, where Romeo will join her.
When she wakes they can escape.
Giulietta fears that she will die from the potion, but finally drinks it when Lorenzo tells her that her father is coming (Morte io non temo, il sai).
Capellio orders Giulietta to prepare for her wedding to Tebaldo.
She tells him that she is dying and begs his forgiveness (Ah, non poss’io partire).
He refuses to believe her, and she leaves, supported by Lorenzo. -
Act 2 Scene 2: In the grounds of the palazzo
Romeo is convinced that even Lorenzo has deserted him. Tebaldo enters and the rivals hurl insults at each other and prepare to fight (Stolto!… Un nume avverso).
They hear a funeral dirge for Giulietta, thought to be dead (Pace alla tua dell’anima) and are appalled.
Both men long for their own deaths (Ella è morta). -
Act 2 Scene 3 The tombs of the Capuleti
Lorenzo has been prevented from telling Romeo of his plot, and Romeo believes that Giulietta is truly dead.
He and the Montecchi come to the vault where her body lies (Siam giunti).
The men leave Romeo to enter the vault alone.
He begs Giulietta to allow him to join her in death (Tu sola, o mia Giulietta… Deh! tu, bell’anima) and takes poison.
No sooner has he drunk the poison than Giulietta awakes, ready to elope with Romeo.
He reveals that he is dying and commands Giulietta to live on and to visit his tomb.
He dies in her arms, and Giulietta falls dead from grief and shock.
The Montecchi enter, followed by Capellio, Lorenzo and the Capuleti.
All accuse Capellio of causing the deaths of Giulietta and Romeo.
© Royal Opera House
Broadcasts
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BBC Radio 3Sat 6 Jun 2009 18:00 BBC Radio 3
