The Teatro San Carlo hosted a production of Gounod's Roméo et Juliette destined to leave a lasting impression in the audience's memory. The staging, co-produced by Opera di Bilbao and Opera di Oviedo, shone through its ability to blend contemporary and classical elements into an organic and engaging whole. Curiously, this was the first time the opera had been performed in Naples since its premiere in Paris in 1867.
Giorgia Guerra's direction in her Naples debut prioritises narrative clarity and emotional depth. Through a restrained yet evocative staging, featuring a central, malleable tower, she creates a poetic and contemplative experience. The tower, serving as an ominous symbol of familial conflict and the lovers' fate, then as Juliette's balcony and final tombstone, allows the drama to unfold naturally and powerfully. The choral prologue, a crucial moment in the opera, immediately establishes the tone of the Shakespearean tragedy, supported by the scenic elements. From Federica Parolini's sets and Imaginarium Studio's projections, which create evocative visual dimensions, to Fiammetta Baldiserri's lighting and Lorena Marín's period costumes all contribute to define the show's visual identity.
At the core of the performance, Nadine Sierra's Juliette traced a complex emotional arc as the young “star-cross'd” lover, from the freshness of youthful love to the crushing weight of tragic destiny. Her voice brought every nuance of her character to life, combining technical virtuosity and interpretative depth in a synthesis that captivated from the first note to the last. Her technical excellence manifested itself in every aspect of her interpretation, from her mastery of vocal control to extraordinary precision in the most complex coloratura.
Her interpretation developed through two key moments that highlighted her capacity for dramatic evolution. In “Je veux vivre”, Sierra captured the essence of young Juliette with a freshness that went beyond mere technical execution. Her voice painted the portrait of a teenager full of life and hope, while subtly presaging the impending tragedy. The most intense moment came with “Amour, ranime mon courage” (encored at the audience's insistence), where Sierra revealed a transformed Juliette, a young woman facing her destiny with tragic determination. She conveyed both the character's fragility and inner strength, creating a moment of extraordinary dramatic intensity. What made her interpretation particularly remarkable was her ability to establish an intimate connection with each and every spectator. Her stage presence, combined with exceptional acting ability, allowed her to embody Juliette in all her facets.
In the role of Romeo, Javier Camarena revealed a technically solid and elegant interpretation. The tenor built a character that grew throughout the performance, showing good synergy with Sierra, essential in the opera's key moments. His interpretation, while not yet reaching exceptional levels, effectively conveyed the passion and rebellion against their parents' hearts of stone.
The ensemble shone through consistency and interpretative quality, from Marco Ciaponi, who offered a high-impact Tybalt combining vocal excellence and stage presence, to Caterina Piva who embodied a vocally agile Stéphano, from Antimo Dell'Omo who brought to life a convincing Count Paris to Alessio Arduini who confirmed his talent as Mercutio. Gianluca Buratto shaped a multifaceted Frère Laurent, wisely modulating his voice from intimate nuance to deeper sonorities, while Annunziata Vestri, with her remarkable stage presence, impressed as Gertrude.
Sesto Quatrini conducted a refined and emotionally engaging interpretation, creating a sound fabric that effectively supported the opera's dramatic development. The orchestra demonstrated depth of sound and balance between the sections, and the chorus also contributed with well-blended voices and a fitting stage presence.
The combination of these components created a cohesive production, where each element contributed towards building the progressive intensification of the drama, culminating in a theatrical experience of great emotional impact.
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