I Capuleti e i Montecchi
Synopsis
Act 1: Verona, 13th century. In the palace of the Capulets who are on the side of the Guelphs, the loyal followers gather around Capellio, the head of the family. He informs them that the alienated Montagues, adherents of the Ghibellines want to make peace. However, Capellio seeks revenge for the death of his son, killed during a fight by Romeo, leader of the Montagues. Tybalt declares his readiness to perform the deed, at the same time confessing his love for Capellio’s daughter Juliet. Romeo appears incognito in order to make the offer of peace. His suggestion of enforcing the peace by marrying Juliet results in outraged rejection. The announcement that Juliet has been promised to someone else prompts Romeo to make a sombre declaration of war. Juliet laments the impending marriage to Tybalt and longs for Romeo. The fighting flares up again. Romeo intends to fight his way clear but in the general confusion the two lovers are separated.
Anna Netrebko sings Giulietta in Bellini’s
adaptation of Romeo and Juliet
Act 2: Juliet is reflecting on what might have happened to Romeo. The physician Lorenzo tells her that her beloved is still alive and then gives her a sleeping potion to make her appear dead until she can be united with Romeo. Tybalt discovers Romeo hiding in the palace, waiting in vain for a message from Lorenzo. The approaching funeral corps with Juliet prevents the two men from fighting. Alone with Juliet, whose coffin he has had opened, Romeo takes poison. As he dies he hears the voice of Juliet as she awakes; in a final duet they realize that their situation is hopeless. Juliet collapses over the dead body of Romeo.
Herbert Glossner
Vincenzo Bellini
I CAPULETI E I MONTECCHI
Concert performance
Conductor Ivor Bolton • Chorus master Rupert Huber
Giulietta Anna Netrebko • Romeo Daniela Barcellona • Tebaldo Joseph Calleja • Capellio Dan Dumitrescu • Lorenzo Chester Patton
Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus
Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra
18 and 21 August, 8 p.m.
Grosses Festspielhaus
Telephone +43 (0) 662 8045-500
Telefax +43 (0) 662 8045-555
info@salzburgfestival.at