SYNOPSIS
The Capulets and the Montagues (I Capuleti e i Montecchi) is the story of Romeo and Juliet, based on medieval Italian sources rather than Shakespeare’s play. In this version, the Capulets and Montagues belong to rival political factions known as the Guelphs and Ghibellines. Before the action of the opera, Romeo, head of the Montagues, has killed Capellio’s son in battle. Capellio is the father of Giulietta and leader of the Capulets. Giulietta has been betrothed to Tebaldo, but has secretly been carrying on a romance with Romeo. Only Lorenzo, Giulietta’s doctor, knows about their love.

ACT I.
Scene 1.
Capellio announces that the criminal Romeo plans to send a peace envoy to them. But Tebaldo, promised to marry his beloved Giulietta that very day, vows to avenge the death of Capellio’s son by killing Romeo. Lorenzo tries to postpone the marriage because Giulietta has been ill, but his concerns are brushed aside. Romeo enters, posing as his own envoy, and declares that Romeo deeply regrets the death of Capellio’s son. He wishes to restore peace by marrying Giulietta, thereby atoning for his misdeed by becoming a second son to the old man. When Capellio refuses, announcing that Tebaldo will fill that role, Romeo promises future bloodshed.

Scene 2.
Lorenzo leads Romeo to Giulietta’s room for a secret tryst. Passionately Romeo urges Giulietta to flee with him, but she can’t bring herself to leave her home and father and begs him to leave before he is discovered.

Scene 3.
As the Capulets prepare for Giulietta’s wedding to Tebaldo, Lorenzo finds Romeo there in disguise, ready to lead his men in an attack that will disrupt the ceremony. In the confusion of the fight, Romeo again urges Giulietta to elope with him, but they are discovered by Capellio and Tebaldo, who are incensed to see the Ghibelline envoy involved in the failed abduction. Defiantly, Romeo reveals his identity, narrowly escaping Tebaldo’s rage when the Montagues arrive to rescue him.


Intermission

ACT II.
Scene 1.
Lorenzo comforts Giulietta with the news that Romeo is safe, but tells her she will soon be taken to Tebaldo’s house for the wedding. After Lorenzo assures her that Romeo will meet her when she wakes, she drinks a sleeping potion that will simulate death. When Capellio enters, the weakening Giulietta begs his forgiveness. Even though the family asks him to be more compassionate, Capellio hardens his heart and orders Tebaldo and his men to spy on Lorenzo whom he now suspects and to confine him to the house.

Scene 2.
Awaiting Lorenzo, Romeo encounters the prowling Tebaldo. Just as they are about to fight, they hear the sound of Juliet’s funeral procession. Devastated by the news, each asks the other to kill him and ease his torment.

Scene 3.
Romeo visits Giulietta’s tomb to make his farewells and then takes poison. Giulietta soon awakens to discover Romeo near death, and after a tender goodbye, she dies of grief over Romeo’s body.

--adapted from New York City Opera

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