Gounoud: Roméo et Juliette | Opernhaus Zürich

The new Zurich production with Julie Fuchs and Benjamin Bernheim in the title roles will be broadcast on Arte on Easter Monday, 10 April 2023.

Juliet kisses the lifeless Romeo one last time, then stabs herself. With Shakespeare, the most famous lovers in the history of theater do not say a goodbye with many words. Charles Gounod, on the other hand, closes his opera "Roméo et Juliette" with a duet: the lovers sing their way to a shared death, which they perceive as redemption; finally, they ask God for forgiveness. It is the last of a total of four great duets in this drame lyrique, which is devoted entirely to the inner dramatic development of this tragic love affair.

Roméo et Juliette is Gounod's most important opera. It was premiered during the Paris World's Fair of 1867 and was a great success. Thanks to its attractive vocal parts, it still occupies a firm place in the French repertoire of the 19th century.

The new Zurich production will present a vocal and performing dream couple in soprano Julie Fuchs and tenor Benjamin Bernheim. Both started their careers at the Zurich Opera House and are now among the big names in the international opera scene. Both hail from France and have devoted themselves time and again to the French repertoire.

Charles Gounod
Roméo et Juliette

with Benjamin Bernheim, Julie Fuchs, Svetlina Stoyanova, Yuriy Hadzetskyy, Maximilian Lawrie
Staged by Ted Huffmann

Philharmonia Zürich
Choir of the Oper Zürich
Musical Direction: Roberto Forés Veses

A 4K HDR production by Accentus Music in co-production with SWR/Arte.
Directed by Michael Beyer
Produced by Paul Smaczny

Broadcast delayed live on Arte on April 10, 2023 at 22h10.

Production Company Accentus Music GmbH
Co-Production Company SWR/Arte
TV Director Michael Beyer
Stage Director Ted Huffmann
Orchestra / Band Philharmonia Zürich
Conductor Roberto Forés Veses
Choir Chor der Oper Zürich
Original title of music work Roméo et Juliette
Composer Charles Gounod
Soloist Benjamin Bernheim
Soloist Julie Fuchs
Soloist Svetlina Stoyanova
Soloist Yuriy Hadzetskyy
Soloist Maximilian Lawrie