Performing Arts: Opera

In this section, you will explore operatic versions of Shakespeare's tragic romance, including background information about operas by Gounod, Bellini, and Delius, and the talented composers themselves.

Charles-Francois Gounod

French composer Gounod's Roméo et Juliette premiered in 1867. Read about the most popular operatic composer in late 1900's France.

Vincenzo Bellini

Find out how Italian composer Bellini was inspired to create I Capuleti ed I Montecchi from Shakespeare's original text.

Frederick Delius

In this section, you can read about English composer Delius and his opera A Village Romeo and Juliet, with its innovative setting in the Swiss Alps.