Romeo And Juliet - Charles Gounod Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Romeo & Juliet

This is very faithful to Shakespeare but though there is some enjoyable music, especially the first solo by Juliet, somehow this opera doesn't really grab me and I am fairly easily grabbed by opera. One wonders why Verdi never had a go at Romeo and Juliet, I'd have thought it would have brought out his best, but maybe it's just too difficult a story for really moving music. This actual version is wonderful to look at, I tend to enjoy cinema versions of opera, and the two lead singers are terrific so it is a shame that the music doesn't manage to reach the peaks. But still worth watching.

Truly wonderful

Beautifully realised version of the opera with Georghiu and Alagna in top form. The setting in Czechoslovakia are simply stunning.

Too short

I got the impression watching this opera that there was supposed to be a lot of dialogue that got missed out- the story just moved too quickly. A bit like Harry Potter and the goblet of fire really, a series of sketches from the story rather than a coherent telling. This was a pity because as a result I couldn't care very much what happened to the characters. Also, without the fight scene at the beginning there was no atmosphere to the piece, which kind of makes me appreciate Shakespeare's original storytelling.

The opera is beautifully shot on location: a bit too beautiful really, it seemed artificial, not least because there only appeared to be one residence!

The orchestral music at the end was beautiful, and having watched many scenes that could have done with some music to linger over, it made me wish Gounod had spent a bit longer over the telling of this opera.

Abysmal

What a shame? I know this opera so well, but this version is horrible. The cuts are swingeing - especially both weddings, the first of which is one of the most beautiful parts of the opera. The cutting of the section in which le Duc exiles Roméo not only makes the story incomprehensible, but cuts the second most beautiful part of the opera. I cannot believe this vandalism. Even if none of that applied, Gheorghiu is the wrong soprano, her voice is heavy and not suited to the piece. Neither Alagna or Gheorghiu looks the part they are both much too grown up to be Shakespeare‘s ingénues. Miserable stuff.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Romeo & Juliet

This is very faithful to Shakespeare but though there is some enjoyable music, especially the first solo by Juliet, somehow this opera doesn't really grab me and I am fairly easily grabbed by opera. One wonders why Verdi never had a go at Romeo and Juliet, I'd have thought it would have brought out his best, but maybe it's just too difficult a story for really moving music. This actual version is wonderful to look at, I tend to enjoy cinema versions of opera, and the two lead singers are terrific so it is a shame that the music doesn't manage to reach the peaks. But still worth watching.