Left to right, Esther Tonea as Juliet, Noah Mond as Frère Laurent, and Nicholas Hudak as Romeo. Photo courtesy of Bel Cantanti Opera.
“Roméo et Juliette” by Gounod is based on Shakespeare’s famous tale of the two star-crossed lovers from feuding families. Romeo of the Montague family falls in love with Juliet of the Capulet family. In a situation which will result in tragedy, hostilities between the two houses result in further bloodshed. Romeo ends up killing a family member of Juliet and is forced into exile. Meanwhile, Juliet, whom Romeo has secretly married, is forced into a marriage arranged by her father. As is well-known, none of this bodes well for anyone involved. Bel Cantanti Opera is currently staging Gounod’s operatic version of the Shakespeare play, but with this magnificent twist: many lines are quoted from the actual play, and this makes this version a thrilling theatrical and operatic experience.
…a thrilling theatrical and operatic experience.
Justin Meyer, who acts out his words, gesticulates dramatically, engages the audience from the very beginning with the opening lines from the Prologue.
Esther Tonea excels in her role as Juliet, especially as she emotes about Juliet’s desire to live in her dream of love in the Act 1 aria, “Ah! Je veux vivre dans ce rêve.” (The role is taken by talented soprano Emily Casey in some performances.) Tenor Nicholas Hudak is an excellent Romeo. He and soprano Tonea sing beautifully with bass Noah Mond as Frère Laurent (Friar Laurence) in the exciting and clandestine wedding scene.
Of special note also is baritone Max von Wyck as Romeo’s friend Mercutio in “The Ballad of Queen Mab,” “the fairies’ midwife” who comes to one in dreams. This an aria which again reminds one of the poetry of Shakespeare. It is another case of the audience treated to Italian opera with references to Shakespeare throughout the performance. Dashiell Waterbury acts and sings wonderfully as the proud Tybalt of Juliet’s family.
Adding to the play’s atmosphere, the lovely costumes (by way of Washington Revels) includes puffed-sleeves, sumptuous dresses, and masks recalling old Verona of the story’s setting. The set is beautifully designed by Peter Joshua Burroughs, with historic-style portraits painted by the artist Ksenya Litvak. There are flowing white drapes and, in every scene, suggestions of stone tombs, foreshadowing the fate of the two lovers.
Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova conducts and performs keyboard with twelve talented musicians, a chamber orchestra treatment which brings Gounod’s score to life in an intimate fashion. Watch as “sharp tongue awakes fire” and “fate’s peril awaits” (quoting from the production’s helpful surtitles) in this operatic version of “Romeo and Juliet.”
Running Time: Two hours plus two intermissions.
“Romeo and Juliet” runs May 17 (7:30 p.m.) and May 18 (3 p.m.), 2025 presented by Bel Cantanti Opera, Bender JCC of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852. For more information and to purchase tickets, at the door or go online.
