So long as one doesn't mind that it represents a severely truncated version of the original five-act opera, Barbara Willis Sweete's film of Charles Gounod's adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy will provide ample pleasure. Beautifully shot on the grounds of the Royal Castle of Zvikov in the Czech Republic, Roméo et Juliette benefits from a first-rate performance by the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra under Anton Guadagno, with most of the duets and solos sung by the two principals--the husband-and-wife team of ravishing Angela Gheorghiu and dashing Roberto Alagna. The secondary parts of Mercutio, Capulet, Frère Laurent, and Paris, have been reduced to virtual walk-ons, but they're ably enough sung, with the occasional choral interludes handled well (all the actors' roles on film are sung voiceover by other performers, excepting the leads). Sweete's direction is very active: Roméo and Juliette rush about a great deal, moving across fields and down hallways as they sing; even ambling through a lovely park while Romeo is dying. Curiously, this effort to avoid staginess instead accentuates it. Nonetheless, as an abbreviated take on Gounod's lovely score, this well-recorded production--with DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, and stereo options--is confidently recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Roméo et Juliette
(2002) 90 min. In French w/English subtitles. DVD: $29.99. Arthaus Musik (dist. by Naxos of America). Color cover. Volume 18, Issue 4
Roméo et Juliette
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