Romeo & Juliet (CANCELLED)
By Charles Gounod
*PERFORMANCE UPDATE*
To our Opera SB Family,
It is with heavy hearts that we have made the tough decision to cancel our production of Romeo and Juliet that was scheduled for May 1 & 3 at the Lobero Theatre.
Team OSB and I have tried to remain optimistic in hopes that the show could somehow go on, but considering the continuing travel disruptions, shelter-in-place orders that the California and other states have issued, and above all, our concern for the well-being of you, our staff, and our community, it seems imprudent to keep postponing the decision.
During this difficult time one of our priorities is to support our artists, orchestra musicians, and craftspeople who have been hit hard by cancellations locally, regionally, and nationally. For that reason, although we have to cancel the production, we will still make payments to all Romeo and Juliet artists and personnel.
This is a trying time for all of us. I hope that as part of the Opera SB Family you will continue to support us and enjoy our productions next season and beyond.
Kostis Protopapas
Artistic and General Director
All Romeo & Juliet Ticket Holders:
In order to be able to provide much-needed income for our artists and make sure the opera is here and going strong when the world returns to normal, Opera SB would like to respectfully ask for your help. Would you please consider the following:
- Turn your tickets into a tax-deductible donation. Your donation will still support this production and you will receive a letter for your 2020 taxes along with our deepest appreciation.
- Accept a credit for the value of your Romeo & Juliet tickets to any performance in our 2020-2021 season. Starting in September, the season includes a must-see classic, La Traviata, a heartwarming American favorite, Little Women, and a toe-tapping comedy, The Daughter of the Regiment.
Of course we will understand if you’d prefer to receive a refund. However, because we are working remotely and the Lobero Theatre is handling multiple show cancellations, refunds will take time as they manage thousands of ticket purchases. On behalf of our Board of Directors, our artists and staff, I apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your invaluable support and patience.
Please visit our page on the Lobero website to process your cancelled ticket.
Based on the world’s most famous love story by William Shakespeare, Charles Gounod tells this tragic tale through sweeping melodies and a series of some of opera’s most touching love duets. The youthful Juliet has no desire to be wed, but everything changes when Romeo enters her family’s party incognito, and their eyes meet. Hoping to overcome a long standing feud between their families, the star-crossed lovers are wed in secret. However there are some conflicts that not even the purest of loves can ease. Romeo and Juliet hold steadfast to their bond, accepting whatever fate may bring, as long as they can remain together.
Conductor Aaron Breid and Director Fenlon Lamb both return after 2016’s double bill of Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. Celebrated soprano Sarah Coburn (Manon, ‘17) and tenor Nathan Granner (Rodolfo/La Bohème, ‘18) return as the eponymous lovers.
Direction
Aaron Breid
Conductor /
Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi
April 2016 (debut)
Fenlon Lamb
Director / Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi
April 2016
Dorabella / Così fan tutte
March 2004 (debut)
Artists
Sarah Coburn
Manon Lescaut /
Manon
November 2017 (debut)
Nathan Granner
Tenor Nathan Granner, a renowned solo and collaborative artist, has a “vibrant and flexible” voice (The Boston Globe) and “possesses utter control of a ravishing mixed head sound” (Opera News). Mr. Granner uses his voice in styles ranging from opera to jazz and classical cross-over performances. This season, Mr. Granner was seen at Long Beach Opera in the title role in The Invention of Morel by Stewart Copeland of The Police and Jonathan Moore. His diverse repertoire includes Curly in Oklahoma! (Charlottesville Opera) and Kanye West in Hunter Shelby Long’s Fair Looks and True Obedience (known as the “Kardashian opera”, it is set during the hour before Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s wedding). He has also performed Nemorino in The Elixir of Love, Ferrando in Così fan tutte, and Rodolfo in La bohème with companies such as Lyric Opera Kansas City, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Tulsa Opera, Spoleto USA, Wolf Trap and Glimmerglass Opera. In the crossover realm, he is a founding member of The American Tenors, whose Sony Masterworks album reached top five in the classical crossover charts. Nathan has also toured extensively with classical guitarist Beau Bledsoe, singing new arrangements of lieder and chanson, flamenco, tango,Turkish music and new compositions. Mr. Granner has also performed at dozens of charitable fundraisers with David Foster and Friends, helping raise tens of millions of dollars to find the cures for Parkinson’s disease, cancer and to aid in Children’s Health, Wildlife Conservation and Substance Abuse.
Synopsis
PROLOGUE
Verona, 18th century. A chorus tells of the endless feud between the Montague and Capulet families, and of the love of their children, Rome?o and Juliette.
ACT I
At a masked ball in the courtyard of the Capulet palace, Juliette’s cousin Tybalt assures Count Pâris that Juliette, who has been promised to him, will enchant him. Capulet presents his daughter to the guests and invites them to dance. Mercutio and Roméo, a Montague, have donned masks to sneak into the ball, together with other friends. Roméo tells them about a strange dream he has had, but Mercutio dismisses it as the work of the fairy Queen Mab. Rome?o watches Juliette dance and instantly falls in love with her. Juliette explains to her nurse, Gertrude, that she has no interest in marriage, but when Rome?o approaches her in a quiet moment, both feel that they are meant for each other. Just as they discover each other’s identities, Tybalt happens upon them and recognizes Roméo. Capulet prevents him from attacking Roméo, who, with his friends, beats a hasty retreat.
ACT II
Later that night, Rome?o enters the Capulets’ garden, looking for Juliette. When she steps out onto her balcony, he declares his love. Servants briefly interrupt their encounter. When they are alone once again, Juliette assures Roméo that she will be his forever.
ACT III
Roméo visits Frère Laurent in his cell and confesses his love for Juliette. Shortly thereafter, she also appears with Gertrude. Hoping that their love might reconcile their families, Frère Laurent marries them.
Outside the Capulet palace, Rome?o’s page, Ste?phano, sings a song about a turtledove imprisoned in a nest of vultures. This angers several of the Capulets. Mercutio comes to Ste?phano’s aid, but soon Tybalt challenges him to fight. Rome?o steps between them and asks Tybalt to forget about the hatred between their families. Tybalt has nothing but scorn for him, and when he kills Mercutio in their duel, Rome?o stabs Tybalt to death. The Duke of Verona appears and, after partisans of both families demand justice, exiles Rome?o.
ACT IV
Rome?o and Juliette have spent their secret wedding night in her room. She forgives him for killing Tybalt. The newlyweds passionately declare their love as day is dawning. They can hardly bring themselves to say goodbye. After Roméo has left, Capulet appears, together with Frère Laurent, and announces to his daughter that she is to marry Pâris that same day. Desperate, Juliette turns to Fre?re Laurent, who gives her a potion that will make her appear to be dead. He promises that she will awaken with Rome?o beside her. Love lends Juliette courage: She overcomes her fear and drinks the poison. On the way to the chapel where her wedding to Pâris is to take place, Juliette collapses. To the guests’ horror, Capulet announces that she is dead.
ACT V
Rome?o arrives at the Capulets’ crypt. Discovering Juliette’s body, he believes her to be dead and drinks poison. At that moment, she awakens, and the lovers share a final dream of a future together. As Rome?o grows weaker, Juliette takes a dagger from his belt and stabs herself. The lovers die praying for God’s forgiveness.
(via The Metropolitan Opera)
PROLOGUE
Verona, 18th century. A chorus tells of the endless feud between the Montague and Capulet families, and of the love of their children, Rome?o and Juliette.
ACT I
At a masked ball in the courtyard of the Capulet palace, Juliette’s cousin Tybalt assures Count Pâris that Juliette, who has been promised to him, will enchant him. Capulet presents his daughter to the guests and invites them to dance. Mercutio and Roméo, a Montague, have donned masks to sneak into the ball, together with other friends. Roméo tells them about a strange dream he has had, but Mercutio dismisses it as the work of the fairy Queen Mab. Rome?o watches Juliette dance and instantly falls in love with her. Juliette explains to her nurse, Gertrude, that she has no interest in marriage, but when Rome?o approaches her in a quiet moment, both feel that they are meant for each other. Just as they discover each other’s identities, Tybalt happens upon them and recognizes Roméo. Capulet prevents him from attacking Roméo, who, with his friends, beats a hasty retreat.
ACT II
Later that night, Rome?o enters the Capulets’ garden, looking for Juliette. When she steps out onto her balcony, he declares his love. Servants briefly interrupt their encounter. When they are alone once again, Juliette assures Roméo that she will be his forever.
ACT III
Roméo visits Frère Laurent in his cell and confesses his love for Juliette. Shortly thereafter, she also appears with Gertrude. Hoping that their love might reconcile their families, Frère Laurent marries them.
Outside the Capulet palace, Rome?o’s page, Ste?phano, sings a song about a turtledove imprisoned in a nest of vultures. This angers several of the Capulets. Mercutio comes to Ste?phano’s aid, but soon Tybalt challenges him to fight. Rome?o steps between them and asks Tybalt to forget about the hatred between their families. Tybalt has nothing but scorn for him, and when he kills Mercutio in their duel, Rome?o stabs Tybalt to death. The Duke of Verona appears and, after partisans of both families demand justice, exiles Rome?o.
ACT IV
Rome?o and Juliette have spent their secret wedding night in her room. She forgives him for killing Tybalt. The newlyweds passionately declare their love as day is dawning. They can hardly bring themselves to say goodbye. After Roméo has left, Capulet appears, together with Frère Laurent, and announces to his daughter that she is to marry Pâris that same day. Desperate, Juliette turns to Fre?re Laurent, who gives her a potion that will make her appear to be dead. He promises that she will awaken with Rome?o beside her. Love lends Juliette courage: She overcomes her fear and drinks the poison. On the way to the chapel where her wedding to Pâris is to take place, Juliette collapses. To the guests’ horror, Capulet announces that she is dead.
ACT V
Rome?o arrives at the Capulets’ crypt. Discovering Juliette’s body, he believes her to be dead and drinks poison. At that moment, she awakens, and the lovers share a final dream of a future together. As Rome?o grows weaker, Juliette takes a dagger from his belt and stabs herself. The lovers die praying for God’s forgiveness.
(via The Metropolitan Opera)