麻豆约拍

PROLOGUE

A chorus introduces the story of the endless feud between the Montague and Capulet families, and of the love of their children, Rome虂o and Juliette.

ACT I

Verona, 18th century. At a masked ball in the Capulet palace, Tybalt waits for his cousin Juliette and assures her suitor, Count Paris, that her beauty will overwhelm him. Capulet presents his daughter to the guests and invites them to dance. The crowd disperses and Rome虂o, a Montague, enters with his friends Mercutio and Benvolio. He tells them about a strange dream he has had, but Mercutio dismisses it as the work of the fairy Queen Mab. Rome虂o watches Juliette dance and is instantly entranced by her. Juliette explains to her nurse that she is not interested in marriage, but when Rome虂o approaches her, both feel that they are meant for each other. Just as they discover each other鈥檚 identity, Tybalt returns. Rome虂o masks himself and rushes off. Tybalt identifies the intruder as Montague鈥檚 son, but Capulet restrains him, ordering the party to continue.

ACT II

Later that night, Rome虂o enters the Capulets鈥� garden, looking for Juliette. When she steps out onto her balcony, he comes forward and declares his love. Servants briefly interrupt their encounter. Alone again, they vow to marry.

ACT III

Rome虂o comes to Fre虁re Laurent鈥檚 cell at daybreak, followed by Juliette and her nurse, Gertrude. Convinced of the strength of their love, the priest agrees to marry them, hoping that the union will end the fighting between their families.

Outside Capulet鈥檚 house, Rome虂o鈥檚 page, Ste虂phano, sings a mocking song. This provokes a fight with several of the Capulets. Mercutio protects Ste虂phano and is challenged by Tybalt. Rome虂o appears and tries to make peace, asking Tybalt to forget about the hatred between their families, but when Tybalt attacks and kills Mercutio, Rome虂o, furious, stabs him. The Duke of Verona arrives, and both factions cry for justice. Rome虂o is banished from the city.

ACT IV

Rome虂o and Juliette awake after their secret wedding night. She forgives him for killing one of her relatives, and after they have assured each other of their love, Rome虂o reluctantly leaves for exile. Capulet enters and tells his daughter that she must marry Paris that same day. She is left alone, desperate, with Fre虁re Laurent, who gives her a sleeping potion that will make her appear dead. He promises that she will wake with Rome虂o beside her. Juliette drinks the potion. When Capulet and the guests arrive to lead her to the chapel, she collapses.

ACT V

Rome虂o arrives at the Capulets鈥� crypt. Discovering Juliette鈥檚 body, he believes her to be dead and drinks poison. At that moment, she awakens, and the lovers share a final dream of a future together. As Rome虂o grows weaker, Juliette takes a dagger from his belt and stabs herself. The lovers die praying for God鈥檚 forgiveness.