PROLOGUE
Verona, 18th century. A chorus tells of the endless feud between the Montague and Capulet families, and of the love of their children, Roméo and Juliette.


ACT I
At a masked ball in the Capulet palace, Tybalt assures Count Paris that Juliette will enchant him. Capulet presents his daughter to the guests and invites them to dance. Mercutio and Roméo, a Montague, have donned masks to sneak into the ball. Roméo tells them about a strange dream he has had, but Mercutio dismisses it as the work of the fairy Queen. Roméo watches Juliette dance and instantly falls in love with her. Juliette explains to her nurse, Gertrude, that she has no interest in marriage, but when Roméo approaches her, both feel that they are meant for each other. Just as they discover each other’s identity, Tybalt happens upon them and recognizes Roméo. Capulet prevents him from attacking Roméo, who beats a hasty retreat.


ACT II
Later that night, Roméo enters the Capulets’ garden, looking for Juliette. When she steps out onto her balcony, he comes forward and declares his love. Servants briefly interrupt their encounter. When they are alone once again, Juliette assures Roméo that she will be his forever.


ACT III
Roméo visits Frère Laurent and confesses his love for Juliette. Shortly thereafter, she also appears with Gertrude. Hoping that their love might reconcile their families, Frère Laurent marries them.


INTERMISSION


Outside Capulet’s house, Roméo’s page, Stéphano, sings a song about a turtledove imprisoned in a nest of vultures. This provokes a fight with several of the Capulets. Mercutio comes to Stéphano’s aid, but is challenged to fight himself by Tybalt. Roméo steps between them and asks Tybalt to forget about the hatred between their families. Tybalt has nothing but scorn for him, and when he kills Mercutio in their duel, Roméo stabs Tybalt to death. The Duke of Verona appears, and partisans of both families demand justice. Roméo is exiled from the city.

ACT IV
Roméo and Juliette have spent their secret wedding night in her room. She forgives him for killing Tybalt. The newlyweds passionately declare their love as day is dawning. They can hardly bring themselves to say goodbye. 

After Roméo has left, Capulet appears together with Frère Laurent and announces to his daughter that she is to marry Paris that same day. Desperate, Julia turns to Frère Laurent, who gives her a potion that will make her appear to be dead. He promises that she will awaken with Roméo beside her. Love lends Juliette courage: she overcomes her fear and swallows the poison. On the way to the chapel where the wedding to Paris is to take place, Juliette collapses. To the guests’ horror, Capulet announces that she is dead.


ACT V
Roméo breaks into the Capulets’ crypt. Faced with the seemingly dead body of his wife, he takes poison. At that moment, Juliette awakes, and they share a final dream of future happiness. When Juliette realizes that Roméo is about to die, she decides to follow him so their love can continue in the afterlife. Before they both die, they ask God for forgiveness.

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