The German choreographer Sasha Waltz‘s poignant version of the celebrated legend of the “star‑crossed” lovers from Verona captures all the romanticism of Berlioz’s symphonic poem. The monochrome sobriety of the costumes and sets accentuates the dramatic intensity of the work and highlights the emotions of the young hero and heroine. Scene by scene – be it the masked ball, tinged with humour, Romeo and Juliet’s sensual and poetical pas de deux, their secret marriage or the heart-breaking burial scene – the choreographer illustrates the depth of the characters’ emotions and offers us a series of images of striking beauty. On stage, dancers, solo singers and chorus come together for a choreographed opera on a timeless and universal theme.
