Romeo & Juliet | Charles Gounod

Verona, 18th century. A chorus sings of the long-standing feud between the Montague and Capulet families and the forbidden love between their children, Roméo and Juliette.

Act: I

At a masquerade ball in the Capulet palace courtyard, Tybalt, Juliette’s fiery cousin, reassures Count Pâris that Juliette, who is promised to him, will captivate him. Capulet introduces his daughter to the guests and invites everyone to dance. Meanwhile, Roméo, a Montague, and his friend Mercutio, along with other companions, sneak into the ball wearing masks. Roméo shares with his friends a strange dream he has had, but Mercutio brushes it off as the work of the fairy Queen Mab. Roméo’s gaze falls upon Juliette as she dances, and he is immediately smitten. Juliette, speaking with her nurse Gertrude, confides that she has little interest in marriage. However, when Roméo approaches her during a quiet moment, both feel an undeniable connection, as if they were destined to be together. Just as they learn each other's identities, Tybalt spots them and recognizes Roméo. He is about to attack, but Capulet intervenes, preventing the conflict. Roméo and his friends quickly slip away from the scene.

Act: II

Later that evening, Roméo sneaks into the Capulet garden, hoping to find Juliette. As she appears on her balcony, he confesses his love for her. Their moment is briefly interrupted by servants, but once they are alone again, Juliette reassures Roméo that she will belong to him forever.

Act: III 

Roméo seeks out Frère Laurent in his cell and professes his love for Juliette. Shortly after, Juliette arrives with her nurse, Gertrude. In hopes that their union might heal the rift between their families, Frère Laurent agrees to marry them.

Outside the Capulet palace, Roméo’s servant, Stéphano, sings a song about a turtledove trapped among vultures, which provokes anger from several Capulet members. Mercutio steps in to defend Stéphano, but soon Tybalt challenges him to a duel. Roméo intervenes, trying to reason with Tybalt and asking him to let go of the animosity between their families. Tybalt, full of disdain, refuses, and in the ensuing duel, he kills Mercutio. In a fit of rage, Roméo kills Tybalt in return. The Duke of Verona arrives, and after demands for justice from both sides, Roméo is sentenced to exile.

Act: IV

Roméo and Juliette spend their secret wedding night in her room, and she forgives him for killing Tybalt. As dawn breaks, the newlyweds passionately express their love, finding it almost impossible to part. After Roméo leaves, Capulet arrives with Frère Laurent and informs Juliette that she is to marry Pâris that very day. Overcome with desperation, Juliette turns to Frère Laurent, who gives her a potion that will make her appear lifeless. He assures her that she will awaken with Roméo by her side. Driven by love, Juliette finds the courage to drink the potion. As she is being taken to the chapel for her forced wedding to Pâris, she collapses. To the shock of the guests, Capulet declares that she is dead.

Act: V

Roméo reaches the Capulet crypt and, finding Juliette's lifeless body, assumes she has died. In his grief, he drinks poison. Just as he begins to fade, Juliette awakens, and the two lovers share a final vision of a future together. As Roméo's strength fades, Juliette, overcome with despair, takes a dagger from his belt and fatally stabs herself. The lovers pass away, praying for God's forgiveness.