Preview Bellini's I Capuleti E I Montecchi

Opera North's Shakespeare season ends with the greatest love story of them all

You are in: Opera » Preview »Bellini's I Capuleti E I Montecchi

Preview: Bellini's I Capuleti E I Montecchi

Vincenzo Bellini was a leading light in music’s early Romantic Movement. Tragically, he died at a younger age than even Mozart, but, fortunately, what proved to be his mature style was reached early. The operas upon which his reputation now rests, I Capuleti e i Montecchi, La Sonnambula, Norma and I Puritani, were written in the immediate years following Beethoven’s death. All are characterised by elegant, long-breathed melody, gentle bel canto florid coloratura, dramatically tense orchestration and a wistful, tender emotional thread that were then quite new to the opera house.

I Capuleti e I Montecchi (“The Capulets and the Montagues”) follows the familiar Romeo and Juliet story in large measure, but from the earlier Italian source from which Shakespeare drew inspiration, rather than from the bard himself. The plot differs only slightly from the one we know. Romeo is the head of the Montague family, Guilietta is the daughter of Capellio, head of the Capulets. Romeo has killed Capellio’s son and Giulietta’s hand in marriage is promised to Tebaldo, should he manage to avenge this death. Here, Tebaldo genuinely loves Giuletta. Capellio rejects a peace treaty by which Romeo would marry Giulietta, sowing the seeds for the opera’s tragic end. In a departure, there is a duet for the lovers in the tomb and they die in each other’s arms.

This new production involves several Opera North debuts: Irish-born director Orpha Phelan has been involved in Mozart and Japanese Noh Theatre recently; mezzo soprano Sarah Connolly sings Romeo and Sarah Tynan takes the role of Giulietta; conductor Manlio Benzi’s recent work has not only included Bellini, but his early teacher Zingarelli.
Sung in Italian with subtitles. Until 1 November, Grand Theatre and Opera House (see listings for full lists of dates)

Posted on Wednesday 17th September 2008
TT

You are in: Opera » Preview »Bellini's I Capuleti E I Montecchi