The EuroArts DVD of Vincenzo Bellini’s “I Capuleti e i Montecchi” (“The Capulets and the Montagues”), filmed at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco in 2012, stars two superb opera singers: mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and soprano Nicole Cabell.
Bellini’s bel canto opera, with a libretto by Felice Romani, is a version of the Romeo and Juliet story, based on Italian sources. The plot differs in a number of respects from Shakespeare’s play.
Here, when the opera begins, Romeo (the leader of the Montagues) has already slain the son of Capellio (head of the Capulets). Romeo arrives at the Capulet palace in disguise, pretending to be an ambassador sent to make peace between the warring families. He proposes a marriage between himself and Giulietta (Juliet, Capellio’s daughter). Romeo’s offer is rejected by Capellio, who informs him that Giulietta has been promised to Tebaldo (Tybalt).
Romeo secretly meets with Giulietta and pleads with her to run away with him. She loves Romeo but declines out of family loyalty.
