The Capulets & The Montagues is a tale of two households at war and of two lovers in over their heads, doomed by the conflict between their families. With its tale of loyalty and love put to the test amidst political violence, Vincenzo Bellini’s gritty re-working of Romeo & Juliet remains a fresh, vital take on a well-loved story that brings the warring families’ emotional and political struggle to life with devastating power.

Composed in just six weeks, Bellini took an old libretto by his friend Felice Romani and created a tragic masterpiece that catapulted him back to international renown after the failure of his previous opera. Performed in the original Italian, English Touring Opera’s new production is directed by Eloise Lally, who returns to ETO after directing 2023’s sumptuous Lucrezia Borgia.

Orchestra

First Violin

Fra Rustumji
John Smart
Stephen Crichlow
Gillian Austin

Second Violin

Vladimir Naoumov
Elodie Chousmer-Howelles
Elizabeth Jiřičková

Viola

Kesari Pundarika
Elin Parry
Natalia Solis Paredes

Cello

Henry Hargreaves
James Heathcote
Sophie Gledhill

Double Bass

Dawn Baker

Flute

Sirius Chau
Emma Halnan
Chris Green
Ruth Harrison

Oboe

Emily Stephens
Russell Coates
Polly Bartlett

Clarinet

Sacha Rattle
Peter Cigleris
Steve Williams
Jordan Black

Bassoon

Éanna Monaghan
Catriona McDermid
Howard Dann
Gareth Humphreys

Horn

Anna Drysdale
Jon Farey
Laurie Truluck
Alys Betsan Jones

Trumpet

Ruth Ross
John Smart

Trombone

Matthew Harrison
Matthew Eckland

Timpani / Percussion

Jonny Raper
Joseph Mathers

Harp

Lise Vandermissen
Esther Beyer