Magazine
A legacy-driven media platform documenting Korean excellence in culture, economy, and identity
By Jeong Seon-bun, Violinist
[Photo Credit: Sunboon Jeong]
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet has not only captured the hearts of audiences but has also inspired countless musicians. Beethoven's String Quartet No. 1, Op. 18 No. 1, was inspired by the tomb scene from Romeo and Juliet. Similarly, Berlioz's dramatic symphony, Tchaikovsky's fantasy overture, and Prokofiev's ballet music were all based on this enduring love story. The play’s tragic arc—an intense five-day romance that ends due to familial opposition and results in the lovers' deaths—has been newly conceived as an opera by French composer Charles Gounod, gaining immense popularity. Notably, this opera was featured in the 2016-2017 Metropolitan Opera season. Let us explore its highlights.
Libretto: Jules Barbier and Michel Carré
Premiere: 1867, Théâtre Lyrique, Paris
Romeo, despondent over Rosaline's rejection, falls ill from unrequited love. His friend Benvolio, seeing his condition, suggests attending the Capulet party with Rosaline to meet other beautiful women—a gesture that leads to Romeo’s fateful encounter with Juliet, a member of the rival house of Capulet.
The opera opens with a somber chorus foretelling the tragic love of Romeo and Juliet, followed by the renowned Capulet party scene. Juliet resists her parents' wishes to wed the wealthy Count Paris, expressing her desire for a different life through the coloratura aria "Je veux vivre dans ce rêve" (I want to live in this dream). Romeo then responds with the madrigal duet "Ange adorable" (Noble angel), marking the beginning of their love.
This famous act features Romeo beneath Juliet's balcony, serenading her with the tender tenor aria "Ah! Lève-toi, soleil!" (Arise, sun!). Unaware of his presence, Juliet expresses her love for Romeo, and they vow to marry.
Romeo confesses his love for Juliet to Friar Laurence, seeking his aid to marry her. Hoping for reconciliation between the feuding families, the Friar performs the ceremony, and the quartet "Dieu qui fit l'homme à ton image" (God who made man in your image) is sung by the Friar, Romeo, Juliet, and the nurse Gertrude. However, tensions escalate when Romeo's friend Mercutio is killed by Tybalt, leading Romeo to kill Tybalt and face banishment from Verona.
With the nurse's help, Romeo secretly spends their first—and last—night together. Despite the family feud, Juliet forgives Romeo for Tybalt's death in the duet "Va! je t'ai pardonné" (I forgive you), sharing their only night as a couple in Verona. When Romeo leaves, Juliet follows the Friar’s advice, taking a potion that induces a death-like sleep. She sings the aria "Amour, ranime mon courage" (Love, revive my courage) before collapsing at her sham wedding.
Romeo, unaware of the Friar’s message, finds Juliet's seemingly lifeless body and consumes poison in despair. Juliet awakens, joyfully reunites with Romeo, but upon learning of his suicide, she follows suit with his dagger. They sing the duet "Console-toi, pauvre âme" (Be consoled, poor soul), and in their final moments, the aria "Seigneur, pardonnez-nous" (Lord, forgive us) is sung as they seek divine forgiveness before their tragic demise.
Gounod's Romeo and Juliet, often staged in three or four acts, gained prominence during Shakespeare's 400th death anniversary in 2016. Differing from Italian opera, Gounod's French libretto infused the piece with unique tonal qualities. Influenced by German music through Mendelssohn’s sister, Fanny, Gounod incorporated grand German church music styles absent in the original play. He diverged from Shakespeare by eliminating the scene where Paris dies at Romeo's hands, prolonging Romeo's life for a dual final duet with Juliet, thus enhancing the audience's emotional engagement.
Recommended Recordings:
Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, José van Dam, conducted by Michel Plasson with the Toulouse City Orchestra and Choir, 1995;
Leontina Vaduva, Roberto Alagna, Robert Lloyd, conducted by Charles Mackerras with the Royal Opera House Orchestra and Choir, Covent Garden, directed by Nicolas Joel, 1994;
Sumi Jo's rendition of Juliet's waltz.
For inquiries, contact Jeong Seon-bun at [sunboonj@yahoo.co.kr]. A graduate of Mannes School of Music, she serves as the music director of 'Ensemble V' and is an active member of the piano trio 'Be.' Teaching children brings her the greatest joy.
