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Il Capuleti e i Montecchi synopsis

Music by Vincenzo Bellini
Libretto by Felice Romani after Shakespeare
First performed: 1830

Act One

Scene 1

A hall in the Capulet palace

The Capuleti, the supporters of Capellio, assemble at dawn, fearing an attack from their rivals, the Montecchi. In the latest fight between these opposing factions, Romeo, leader of the Montecchi, has killed Capellio's son. The Capuleti declare their determination to obtain their revenge for this outrage. Capellio rejects Lorenzo's advice to end the feud with the Montecchi, and announces that Tebaldo will marry his daughter Giulietta later that day.

Romeo (who loves Giulietta) enters unrecognized, posing as his own envoy. He offers terms for peace, which is to be sealed by the marriage of Giulietta to Romeo. The offer of peace is rejected and the Capuleti call for war. Romeo warns them that though the Montecchi will fight, it will be the Capuleti who must take the blame for the loss of life.

Scene 2

A room in Juliet's apartment

Alone and miserable, Giulietta reflects on the contrast between the preparations for her wedding to Tebaldo and her unfulfilled love for Romeo. Lorenzo enters: he has brought Romeo with him. Romeo urges Giulietta to escape with him, but she argues that, in spite of loving him, she must be a dutiful daughter, do her father's bidding and marry Tebaldo.

Scene 3

An internal courtyard in the Capulet palace

The celebrations for Tebaldo and Giulietta's wedding are underway. Romeo, in disguise, enters with Lorenzo: the Montecchi leader reveals that his men will soon attack the palace and prevent the marriage. Lorenzo is torn between his loyalty to Capellio and his affection for the lovers. Suddenly the noise of battle is heard, and Romeo rushes off to join the fight. During the commotion Romeo once again pleads with Giulietta to elope with him, but they are discovered by Capellio and Tebaldo, who recognizes Romeo as the enemy's ambassador. The Montecchi swarm in to rescue Romeo, whose true identity is revealed.

Act Two

Scene 1

An internal courtyard in the Capulet palace

Giulietta is wondering about the outcome of the latest skirmish between the Capuleti and the Montecchi when Lorenzo brings news: Romeo is safe, but she will soon be taken to Tebaldo's castle. He proposes a plan: she must take a sleeping potion that will counterfeit death; she will then be interred in the Capuleti family vault, but when she awakes Romeo will be with her. Despite her anxiety about never waking up, she swallows the sleeping draught. Capellio and his entourage enter and he orders Giulietta to prepare for her wedding to Tebaldo. Though she tells her father that she is close to death, Capellio remains unmoved by her pleas and is suspicious of Lorenzo.

Scene 2

In the grounds of the palace

Romeo believes that Lorenzo has abandoned him. He comes face to face with Tebaldo and the two rivals are about to duel when they are interrupted by Giulietta's funeral cortège. Romeo and Tebaldo are united in their grief.

Scene 3

The tombs of the Capulets

Romeo and his followers have come to the vault to mourn Giulietta. He is left alone to bid farewell to her in private. Believing Giulietta dead, Romeo takes poison in order to join her in death. As he swallows the poison, she awakes and he learns, for the first time, of Lorenzo's scheme. He dies in her arms and she immediately expires from grief. The Montecchi and Capuleti rush in. Capellio is blamed for their deaths.