Star-crossed lovers

Two households, both alike in dignity,

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life ...

I have always been fascinated by the tale, of Capulets and Montagues, of romance and sword fights, of love and loss and tragic endings.  Romeo and Juliet was the first Shakespearean play I ever read.  And when I saw Zeffirelli’s film, the story really came to life.

I even committed Romeo’s balcony-scene monologue to memory.  But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?  It is the east, and Juliet is the sun ...

My friend B is a real aficionado of the ballet.  She has a subscription to the NYC Ballet at Lincoln Center, and attends many performances.  I go with her about 3 times a year.

And when I learned that this year’s offerings included Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, I knew which ballet I wanted to see.

The story is beautifully told through dance.    I especially loved the costuming — the Montagues in green, the Capulets in red, and the principal dancers in unique and colorful costumes — Mercutio in purple, Benvolio in blue, Tybalt in bright yellow.  Romeo wears aqua, and the virginal Juliet is in white.   (Sorry, no photos, you’re not allowed to take pictures inside the theater.). The balcony scene ...well, without dialogue, Juliet comes down to the garden to dance with Romeo. The sword fights were meticulously choreographed and very exciting.  And the mandolin scene — a scene where street performers entertain the crowds — added just the right amount of humor to the story.

Wonderful evening of ballet.  I’m learning so much by hanging around with B.

Our next ballet will be in May, a tribute to Jerome Robbins.  And it will include, interestingly, a West Side Story suite.  I’m excited.

And as we were leaving, I glanced across the plaza at the opera house.  My parents loved the opera, but I have never been.  I feel a little bit like Cher in Moonstruck.   So I looked up the schedule for The Metropolitan Opera...and they are presenting Charles Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette in April.  Perhaps ...