The star-crossed lovers whose love and death reconcile the feuding Montague and Capulet families takes the center stage in the fourth offering of the CCP Met Opera in HD Season 5, to be screened on Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. at the Greenbelt 3 Cinema 3.
Based on William Shakespeare's timeless romance story, the Charles Gounod opera Roméo et Juliette stars actresses Diana Damrau, Amanda Woodbury, Pretty Yende alternating as Juliette, with actors Vittorio Grigolo and Stephen Costello sharing the role of Roméo. Actors Virginie Verrez and Paula Murrihy play Stephano, Elliot Madore and Yunpeng Wang as Mercutio, and Mikhail Petrenko and Matthew Rose as Frere Laurent.
When Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo starred opposite each other in Manon at the Met in 2015, the New York Times observed, “the temperature rises nearly to boiling every time Damrau and Grigolo are on stage together.” Now they’re back as opera’s classic lovers in Gounod’s lush Shakespeare adaptation.
Gounod opera has been notable for its series of four duets for the main characters and the waltz song "Je veux vivre" for the soprano. Conductor Gianandrea Noseda takes care of the sumptuous score. Also, the Bartlett Sher’s new production has already won acclaim for its vivid 18th century milieu and stunning costumes during runs at Salzburg and La Scala.
The CCP Met Opera in HD series features screenings of the latest operatic productions of the Metropolitan Opera of New York through the high-definition digital video technology and Dolby sound recreating the experience of watching an opera production at the Met “live.” It is co-presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Metropolitan Opera of New York and the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with the Ayala Malls Cinemas.
For inquiries, please call CCP Sales and Promotions at 832-3706, or e-mail ccpsalesandpromo@gmail. com, Greenbelt 3 Cinema Customer Service Hotline at 757-7883. You may also visit www.culturalcenter.gov. ph.
