V. BELLINI

I CAPULETI E I MONTECCHI

WED 15 19:30 | FRI 17 19:30 | SAT 18 MAY 18:00

The legend of the feuding Capulets and Montagues of Verona came home to Italy in spectacular fashion with the premiere of Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi in Venice in 1830. Drawing on the earliest versions of the Romeo and Juliet story (the source material for Shakespeare’s classic), Bellini chose to cast his star-crossed lovers as a soprano and mezzo-soprano; their sensuous duets, full of Bellini’s trademark long-breathed melodies, are highlights of this bel canto gem. Featuring a youthful cast drawn from the UCT Opera School and CTO’s Young Artist Programme, this new production will be conducted by Jeremy Silver, the Director of the UCT Opera School. Steven Stead directs, with designs by Michael Mitchell and Kobus Rossouw.