No Roméo could possibly resist Mirella Freni’s enchanting combination of appealing innocence and impulsiveness as Juliette. Her warm lyric voice glided over Juliette’s phrases with a naturalness that brought the character to stunning life. Nicolai Gedda’s Roméo was sensitive, ardent, and as stylish as they come. Together Freni and Gedda showed a new generation of operagoers why Gounod’s opera is as enjoyable and heartbreaking as Shakespeare’s play. John Macurdy is the helpful Friar Lawrence.

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