Last Tuesday November 29th I attended Vancouver Opera’s production of Roméo et Juliette, written by a French composer of the nineteenth century Charles Gounod.
The plot was based on the tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is not one of the most popular operas, it was first performed in Vancouver Opera in 1982. This opera is sung in French, with English subtitles projected above the stage.
The production is good, good decorations and costumes. As far as singers, the young Juliette (Simone Osborne) excels with her beautiful soprano voice. Romeo is sung by a dashing tenor Gordon Getz. The tender love duets are very emotional. The choral parts are excellent. The whole production is very well conducted by French conductor Jacques Lacombe from Quebec. The sombre mood prevails through all three hours.