Charles Gounod's epic opera, Romeo and Juliet, was premiered in 1867. It was rapturously received and became one of his most popular stage works. For an updated, filmed version, director Barbara Willis Sweete opened up the stage version and decided to film at a picturesque royal castle in the Czech Republic. In the lead roles, Sweete cast the opera world's most famous husband-and-wife team Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna, who triumphed in the roles at the New York Met when they were newlyweds.