Romeo and Juliet

PROLOGUE

The Montague and Capulet families assemble at a memorial service and reflect upon the decades of violent acts between their opposing families that have led to the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet. They seek healing and understanding to end this cycle of hatred and prejudice.

ACT ONE

At a masked ball at the Capulet palace, Tybalt waits for his cousin Juliet and assures her suitor, Count Paris, that her beauty will overwhelm him. Capulet presents his daughter to the guests and invites them to dance. The crowd disperses and Romeo and Mercutio, both Montagues, reveal their hidden identities. They change into fancy clothes in order to go to the ball and party with the others, hoping that Romeo can overcome his painful breakup with his girlfriend Rosaline by finding another beauty to fall in love with. Romeo tells his friends about a strange dream he has had, but Mercutio dismisses it as the work of the fairy Queen Mab (“Mab, reine des mensonges”). Romeo watches Juliet dance and is instantly entranced with her. Juliet tells her nurse that she is not interested in marriage (“Je veux vivre”), but when Romeo approaches her, both feel that they are meant for each other. Just as they discover each other’s identity, Tybalt returns and identifies the intruder as Montague’s son. Tybalt erupts in fury that Romeo has dared to crash the party and flirt with Juliet but Capulet restrains him, ordering the party to continue.

Later that night, Romeo enters the Capulets’ garden, looking for Juliet (“Ah! lève-toi, soleil!”). When she steps out onto her balcony, he comes forward and declares his love. A group of partying Capulets briefly interrupt them as they search for Stephano, a Montague, who they have spotted sneaking around in the garden. Alone again, Romeo and Juliet vow to marry one another.

Romeo comes to Frère Laurent’s cell at daybreak, followed by Juliet and her nurse, Gertrude. Convinced of the strength of their love, the priest agrees to marry them, hoping that the union will end the fighting between their families.

– – – INTERMISSION – – –

ACT TWO

Outside Capulet’s house, Romeo’s friend, Stephano, sings a mocking song. This provokes a fight with several of the Capulets. Mercutio protects Stephano and is challenged to a fight by Tybalt. Romeo appears and tries to make peace, asking Tybalt to forget about the hatred between their families, but after Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo stabs him to death. The Duke of Verona arrives, and both factions cry out for justice. Romeo is banished from the city and the feuding families end the scene with an eruption of hatred towards each other.

Romeo and Juliet awake after their secret wedding night. She forgives him for killing her cousin, and after they have assured each other of their love, Romeo reluctantly leaves for exile (Duet: “Nuit d’hyménée”). Capulet enters and tells his daughter that she must marry Paris that same day. She is left alone, desperate, with Frère Laurent, who gives her a sleeping potion that will make her appear dead. He promises that she will awake with Romeo beside her. Juliet drinks the potion (“Amour, ranime mon courage”).

At her wedding ceremony to Paris, Juliet collapses due to the potion and the Capulets are horrified by what they perceive to be her sudden death. Juliet is laid to rest in her tomb.

Romeo arrives at the Capulets’ crypt and discovers Juliet. He believes her to be dead and drinks poison. At that moment, she awakens, and the lovers share a final dream of a beautiful future together. As Romeo grows weaker, Juliet takes out a dagger and stabs herself. The lovers die together in each other’s arms.