List Price: $29.99 Our Price: $15.00 You Save: $14.99 (50%)

Product Description

Gounod's version of Shakespeare's tragedy about two "star-crossed lovers" has never been considered a first-class opera, but as this 1994 Royal Opera production movingly shows, with the right singers and conductor it can be a quite emotional experience. Tenor Roberto Alagna is all youthful ardor and aching romance as Romeo, while soprano Leontina Vaduva plays Juliet as a lover frightfully aware of the doom the pair is moving toward. Among an able supporting cast, Francois Le Roux stands out as Mercutio. Nicolas Joel's staging rarely strays from its focus on the lovers, and it even finds room for moments of true invention and wit. Conducting the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Charles Mackerras again proves his worth as an estimable interpreter of this kind of traditional French opera. --Kevin Filipski

Customer Reviews:

• "SINGING-ACTORS" WHO CAN REALLY SING!!!!
  The reason to purchase this DVD of Romeo et Juliette by Gounod is the wonderful, expressive singing of Roberto Alagna and Leontina Vaduva. Not only do they sound great, they LOOK great and act their parts sincerely and movingly. The final scene of this opera with the two doomed and dying lovers desperately reaching out for one last unobtainable kiss could "make the stones weep" in this Covent Garden performance, taped in 1994. The production is somewhat sparse but traditional, with beautiful costumes and atmosphere. Supporting singers Francois Le Roux and Robert Lloyd do a fine job, but the focus of this performance is the two lovers and Alagna and Vaduva convince you with their voices and their demeanor that they are exactly that: young and in love. Two of the many vocal highlights are Alagna's aria, "Ah, leve-toi soleil" and the ensemble that ends Act Three. Anytime the two lovers are onstage, there is operatic magic (all too rare these days). Alagna combines French style with Italian bravura and Vaduva has a voice with sweetness and vulnerablity which seems to grow in size for the dramatic and often cut Poison Aria.
  This DVD comes highly recommended to lovers of great singing which too often, in present times, is cast aside for singers who "look and act the part". What a treat to have both!!!!...more info
• Gounod would be proud
  With traditional sets and costumes, this video could have turned out "just another opera" but, thanks to Roberto Alagna and conductor Charles Mackerras, it is a gem.

  Mackerras conducts the music with an assured yet gentle touch, and pays careful attention to what's happening on stage.

  Alagna is an ideal Romeo: not only does he look young and romantic, but he sings with caressing lyricism and acts very well indeed. His interpretation of the tomb scene could melt a heart of stone.

  As Juliette, Leontina Vaduva is a little tough to swallow at first, but she gets easier to handle as the opera progresses.

  In conclusion, treat yourself and watch this video!...more info

• A Romeo Unlikely to be Bettered
  I was very surprised to read some of the negative comments on this DVD. Vaduva might not be my first choice (it wouldn't be Netrebko)but her voice and physicality suggest the youth and sensitivity one would expect in a Juliette. Subsequent recordings of Vaduva available at one time on CD, a Boheme and an aria collection were disappointing. The Boheme was in particular a disappointment as it has a very starry cast--Vaduva excepted. But I can't criticize her Juliette. Nor the rest of the cast, notably Alagna. What a pleasure to hear him sing French. Surely he will offer us a Faust. But in the meantime I recomment his Romeo the score of which I think is superior to Faust. Interestingly enough the worst music of the Berlioz "drammatic symphony" is the music he wrote the Frere Laurence; the same can be said of Gounod's attempt; even with an artist with the distinction of Robert Lloyd he is unable to rise above the banal, but the fault is Gounod's, not Lloyd's. Highly recommended....more info
• Beautifully sung production
  Romeo et Juliette has always been one of my favorite operas. The leads are both perfect in their interpretation of youthful love. Roberto Alagna is in superb form and a terrific Romeo. It is a joy to behold his perfect French diction. His voice is sweet, lyrical and clear cut like most French tenors. Vaduva is an excellent Juliette. She can act, is young and beautiful, and has a wonderful coloratura. Her opening aria "Je veux Vivre..." is simply incredible! I thought her voice was perfect and her diction was right on too. They seemed to have strong chemistry. The only drawback for me was the set seemed rather sparse. The color appears drabby on dvd, but may have had to do with the production's lighting. Anyways, I give it 5 stars for Alagna and Vaduva's believable performances. ...more info
• romeo et juliette
  At chapter 19 the DVD stopped and would not continue. If this had been purchased at a local store it could have just been taken for a replacement. At present I am stuck with it....more info
• You can have my copy for free!
  Never have much cared for Alagna and in this production he really disappoints - vocally and visually. Just saw him in the MET simulcast which will soon be released on DVD and can't believe how much better the Met's production brings some 'life' to this less than 'grand' opera. This DVD should be relegated to the garbage can and I advise all to pick up the Met's production when it is available....more info
• Beautiful music, beautiful voices and good acting
  This "Romeo et Juliette" is the finest on video. Roberto Alagna is an absolute joy as Romeo -- not only does he look good, but he's got an amazing voice and wonderful acting ability to match. Leontina Vaduva does very well as Juliette, although it takes a little while to get used to her facial expressions.

  As for content, the sets and costumes are traditional, and so is the direction. However, the death scene with melt your heart.

  Don't miss this outstanding video!...more info