Charles Gounod

Romeo and Juliet

Charles Gounod (1818-1893) completed the five-act opera Roméo et Juliette (Romeo and Juliet) in 1867. With a libretto by Jules Barbier and Michael Carré, the opera tells the tragic story of Shakespeare's play with little deviation. The work is well-known for the series of four duets sung by the main characters and the waltz song "Ah! Je veux vivre" as sung by the soprano lead. It premiered on April 27, 1867 at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, Adolphe Deloffre conducting. One of the most popular arias in this opera and the wider repertoire, the waltz song "Ah! Je veux vivre" takes place during Act I, sung by Juliet as she declares to Gertrude, her nanny, her lack of interest in an arranged marriage to Pâris. This edition is in the key of G. Instrumentation: 1+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp.Perc(1): Hp: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Soprano Solo (not in set).