February 12, 2026
NOTEWORTHY/Chestnut Hill LOCAL by Michael Caruso for February 12, 2026
AVA to Perform Operatic ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by Bellini
By Michael Caruso
Philadelphia’s internationally acclaimed Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street in Center City, will present Gaetano Bellini’s operatic version of William Shakespeare’s tragic romance, “Romeo and Juliet.” In this bel canto incarnation of one of the most famous plays ever written, Bellini’s incarnation returns to the names of the two warring families, “I Capuletti e I Montecchi.”
The opera was given its premiere in 1830 in one of the most legendary opera houses in the world: “La Fenice,” proudly located in the most Serene Republic of Venice, known to this day as “La Serenissima.”
AVA’s production is being conducted by Michelle Rofrano and stage directed by John de los Santos. It runs in the school’s own intimate Helen Corning Warden Theater February 28, March 3,5 & 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Surviving letters demonstrate that Bellini accepted La Fenice’s commission with reservations. “The government and practically all of Venice,” he wrote, “want me to write a new opera, which I must do in only one month. They have all entreated me to do this as a favor to Venice, which will be content with what I write I in such a brief time. To win the public’s heart, I have accepted.” He subsequently referred to the project as “a most perilous undertaking.”
Although Bellini’s “I Capuletti” has never achieved the popularity of Shakespeare’s original tragedy, that should not be held against it, since none of the other operatic versions of The Bard’s plays have managed to do so.
The only Shakespeare-based opera that comes close to the stature of the original play is Giuseppe Verdi’s “Otello,” on which he worked with one of the greatest librettists of all time, Arrigo Boito. Even his towering “Macbeth” pales before the utter perfection of the original “Scottish play.”
Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is one of his most poetic works ever written for the theater. It’s almost a series of dramatic sonnets placed against the narrative of the inexplicable warring Renaissance families of Bellini’s title. A plethora of solutions occur to modern audiences – such as the young couple simply moving to another city state. And yet, the social dictates of the period eliminated virtually all of them. The result is personal tragedy of an epic intensity.
Bellini’s “bel canto” style of vocal writing – literally “beautiful singing” – is the perfect musical idiom for such a story of heart-breaking tragedy. Its transcendent beauty rings true to this very day. Some of opera’s greatest stars have sung the role: for example, soprano Beverly Sills and mezzo soprano Dame Janet Baker.
One note of cautious information, however, should be entertained. “I Capuletti” incudes a “trouser role” for the part of Romeo. Rather than having the young man sung by a virtual “male alto” – still in common use in historically correct cathedral choirs throughout England, for instance — Romeo is portrayed by a female mezzo-soprano literally costumed in trousers. It’s an effect that can sometimes take the unfamiliar theater-goer by surprise. My advice? Close your eyes now and then and just listen.
For ticket information about “I Capuletti e I Montechhi,” call 215-735-1685 or visit www.avaopera.org.
You can contact NOTEWORTHY ay Michael1caruso@comcast.net.