How many composers have been inspired by the two lovers from Verona depicted by Shakespeare? From Vincenzo Bellini and Hector Berlioz to Leonard Bernstein, the list is long. If Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, first performed during the Universal Exhibition of 1867, enjoyed immediate popularity it is doubtless because this is the version that translates the tumultuous lives of the celebrated lovers with the greatest finesse.Four love duets, a fiery waltz and luminous, lyrical music: the entire score seems to tremble with desire and freshness. Who better than Thomas Jolly, one of the most inventive directors of his generation, reputed for his audacious re‑readings of Shakespeare, to celebrate this hymn to youth? Following his Eliogabalo by Cavalli in 2016, he signs his second collaboration with the Paris Opera. The Paris Opera Orchestra and ChorusA co-production by Opéra National de Paris and Act 4 Productions With the participation of France Télévisions With the support of the Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée, the Orange Foundation, Sponsor of the Paris Opera's audiovisual broadcasts, and the POP Circle © Ex Nihilo – Opéra national de Paris - 2025

Roméo: A young nobleman from the Montaigu family Juliette: Capulet’s daughter Stéphano: Roméo’s page Gertrude: Juliette’s nurse Capulet: Juliette’s father, the head of a leading Veronese family Friar Laurent Mercutio: Friend of Roméo Tybalt: Juliette’s cousin Pâris: Juliette’s fiancé

Roméo et Juliette 22-23 © Vincent Pontet-OnP (3)

Romeo and Juliet

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Roméo et Juliette

How many composers have been inspired by the two lovers from Verona depicted by Shakespeare? From Vincenzo Bellini and Hector Berlioz to Leonard Bernstein, the list is long. If Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, first performed during the Universal 

Charles Gounod

Before the extraordinary Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, after his Shakespearean marathons, after Starmania, director Thomas Jolly took on the Paris Opera and the masterpiece of composer Charles Gounod, Roméo et Juliette.The behind-the-scenes of this creation, filmed over the course of a year, reveal the full complexity of the Paris Opera—both a dream factory and a colossal ship.But above all, this film is an immersion into the psyche of Thomas Jolly, into his vision of the work and of theater, with his flashes of insight as well as his impatience, his humor, and his sensitivity. A co-production by Ex Nihilo and Opéra National de Paris, with the participation of France Télévisions Directed by: Priscilla Pizzato © Ex Nihilo – Opéra national de Paris - 2025

Dans les coulisses de Roméo et juliette

Opéra de Paris : Roméo, Juliette, Thomas et les autres

Before the extraordinary Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, after his Shakespearean marathons, after Starmania, director Thomas Jolly took on the Paris Opera and the masterpiece of composer Charles Gounod, Roméo et Juliette. The behind

Priscilla Pizzato

Paris Opera: Romeo, Juliette, Thomas, and the others

Violent, terrifying and fascinating, Caligula, Nero and Elagabalus led lives so short, ambivalent and cruel that they inspired numerous writers. “Anarchy, to the extent to which Elagabalus pushes it, is genuine poetry”, wrote Antonin Artaud, exalting a man’s battle against conventions and order.Cavalli’s last-known opera, dating from 1667, focuses on the perverse young emperor who neglected affairs of state in favour of sensual pleasures.Systematically overturning accepted morals, Elagabalus dresses men as women, and names women to the Senate, favours sinning servants and humiliates generals. Baroque and carnivalesque, Eliogabalo is not, however, an opera that advocates a return to order.Leonardo García Alarcón, a finder of baroque gems, and Thomas Jolly are careful not to transform Eliogabalo into a sublime icon who would abase virtue.On the contrary, the conductor and young director, who are presenting their first production for the Paris Opera, accept the character’s contradictions and ambiguities Orchestre Cappella Mediterranea Chœur de Chambre de NamurCoproduction avec de Nationale Opera, Amsterdam Coproduction Opéra national de Paris, CLC Productions with the participation of France TélévisionsWith the support of the Orange Foundation, patron of the Paris Opera's audiovisual broadcasts and with the assistance of the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée.Director: Julien Condemine & Roberto Maria Grassi © Opéra national de Paris - CLC Productions – 2016Picture: © Agathe Poupeney / OnP

<ul><li>Eliogabalo: Emperor of Rome</li><li>Alessandro: Eliogabalo’s cousin and heir </li><li>Gemmira: Giuliano’s sister, engaged to Alessandro but coveted by Eliogabalo</li><li>Giuliano: Prefect of the Praetorian Guard, in love with Eritea</li><li>Eritea: A young woman dishonoured by Eliogabalo and in love with Giuliano</li><li>Zotico: A confidant and favourite of Eliogabalo</li><li>Lenia: Eliogabalo’s nurse</li><li>Nerbulone: Coach driver, Lenia’s fiancé</li><li>Atilia Macrina: A young woman in love with Alessandro</li><li>Tiferne: A gladiator</li></ul>

2016-17-ELIOG162

Eliogabalo_trailer

Eliogabalo

Violent, terrifying and fascinating, Caligula, Nero and Elagabalus led lives so short, ambivalent and cruel that they inspired numerous writers. “Anarchy, to the extent to which Elagabalus pushes it, is genuine poetry”, wrote Antonin Artaud, exalting

Francesco Cavalli

Immerse yourself in Gounod's Romeo and Juliet, with the recording of the opera and a behind-the-scenes documentary!  Also discover Eliogabalo, Thomas Jolly's first opera for the Paris Opera.

Thématique POP - 1

Immerse yourself in Gounod's Romeo and Juliet, with the recording of the opera and a behind-the-scenes documentary!  Also discover Eliogabalo, Thomas 