Vincenzo Bellini: I Capuleti E I Montecchi with Joyce DiDonato

A Romeo and Juliet opera without the poetic balcony scene and with a woman singing the role of Romeo: Vincenzo Bellini’s reworking of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy is in many respects remarkable. Not least because the young composer presents in his opera “I Capuleti e i Montecchi” perhaps the most moving final scene of opera repertoire to date: Romeo and Juliet are both alive and conscious, allowing them to sing a duet before dying together.

The Zurich Opera House has enlisted extraordinary and vivacious voices for the world’s most famous lovers: In the new Bellini production, American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato – in a class of her own – performs the role of Romeo. At her side as Romeo’s beloved Giulietta is the young Ukrainian soprano Olga Kulchynska with an incredible acting and singing performance, making the audience hold its breath during her subtle arias. Carrying forward with their Bellini cycle after their last production of ‘La Straniera’, Musical Director Fabio Luisi with the Philharmonia Zurich and Stage Director Christof Loy brought this poignant bel canto opera to stage in Zurich resulting in an utmost impressive TV experience.

Philharmonia Zürich
Chor der Oper Zürich
Fabio Luisi   Musical Director
Joyce DiDonato   Romeo
Olga Kulchynska   Giulietta
Benjamin Bernheim  Tebaldo
Alexei Botnarciuc   Capellio
Erik Anstine   Lorenzo

Christof Loy  Stage Director
Christian Schmidt   Set & Costume Design