Romeo and Juliet  Synopisis

Act I The house of Capulet in Verona

At a ball given by Juliet’s father, Count Capulet, Juliet’s cousin Tybalt points her out to Paris, whose bride she is to be. Mingling uninvited among the guests are Romeo, of the family of Montague—currently feuding with the Capulets—and some of his friends. Romeo has forebodings of disaster, but his friend Mercutio mockingly suggests that he has been visited by Mab, Queen of the Fairies, who presides over dreams.

Teased about her forthcoming marriage by her nurse, Gertrude, Juliet expresses her desire to enjoy her youth in freedom. Struck by her beauty, Romeo addresses her. By the time Tybalt interrupts their conversation and they learn one another’s identities, they have already fallen in love. Capulet, concerned for the success of his party, restrains Tybalt, who wishes to attack Romeo.

Act II The garden outside Juliet’s window

Hiding in the garden, Romeo overhears Juliet confess her love for him and her wish that he was not a Montague. He offers to disown his name if it will please her. His profession of his love is interrupted by Capulet servants, led by Gregorio, scouring the grounds for a suspected interloper—Romeo’s page. They tease Gertrude with the suggestion that she has attracted a Montague follower. Romeo and Juliet agree to marry; he will make the arrangements and send her word. Gertrude calls Juliet to come inside.

Act III Scene 1: Friar Lawrence’s cell

Romeo tells Friar Lawrence of his love for Juliet. She arrives and Friar Lawrence marries them.

Act III Scene 2: The street outside the Capulet house

Romeo’s page, Stephano, sings a derisive serenade, warning the Capulets that their white dove is about to fly the nest. Capulet servants appear and a brawl develops, which is about to result in a duel between Gregorio and Stephano. The row brings others to the scene. Mercutio’s remark that it is typical of the Capulets to pick on a child is overheard by Tybalt, who challenges him.

When Romeo arrives, Tybalt wants to fight him, but Romeo, wishing to avoid a confrontation with Juliet’s cousin, answers his insults calmly. Mercutio fights with Tybalt and is killed. Romeo casts prudence to the winds and challenges Tybalt, wounding him mortally. Tybalt dies in Capulet’s arms as the rival families gather. A developing fight is prevented by the arrival of the Duke, who banishes Romeo.

Act IV Juliet’s bedroom

Romeo and Juliet have spent the night together. She has forgiven him for the death of Tybalt, as otherwise Tybalt would have killed him. She tries to delay his departure, only yielding when she realizes the danger he is in.

Accompanied by Friar Lawrence, Capulet tells Juliet that she is to marry Paris that very day, in accordance with Tybalt’s last wish. At a signal from the friar she remains silent. Left alone with him, she reveals that she would rather die than marry Paris. He gives her a sleeping draught that will give her the appearance of death for a whole day, explaining that when she is taken to the family crypt, Romeo and he will be on hand to rescue her. She takes the potion.

Act V The vault of the Capulets

Believing Juliet to be dead, Romeo comes to the vault and takes poison. She wakes and they rejoice at their reunion, but Romeo begins to feel the effects of the poison. He tells Juliet what he has done and collapses at her feet. Finding no poison left, she stabs herself. As they die they pray for forgiveness.

(adapted from Opera Guide, http://www.opera-guide.ch/opera.php?id=139&uilang=en)