Skip to content

John Cranko – Sergei Prokofyev

Romeo and Juliet

Duration
2 h 50 min, Incl. 2 intervals (25 min)
When
20.1.2024 – 7.2.2024
Where
Main Stage
Genre
Ballet
Price range
20–122 €
Age recommendation
10+

A ballet of the world’s most famous love story

Shakespeare’s immortal story about the young lovers of two rival families and their tragic fate has inspired artists through the ages. John Cranko’s choreography to Sergei Prokofyev’s powerful music is one of the most famous ballet versions of Romeo and Juliet.

The tragic story of the star-crossed lovers from two rival families has touched the entire world since Shakespeare’s times. The stunning ballet, which combines delicate duets with fast-paced, even humorous scenes is guaranteed to delight adult audiences.

watch trailer

synopsis

Two rival families, the Capulets and the Montagues, are battling for supremacy in the city of Verona. Romeo, the son of Lord Montague, professes his love to Rosaline. The Capulets, meanwhile, organise a ball, in which Juliet, the daughter of Lord Capulet, is to meet her betrothed, Count Paris. Rosaline, followed by the masked Romeo and his friends, also arrives at the party. Juliet notices Romeo, and the two fall in love at first sight. Juliet’s cousin Tybalt is suspicious about Romeo’s identity. As Juliet dreams of Romeo on her balcony, he sneaks into the garden and the two swear to be true to each other forever.

Verona is celebrating the carnival. Juliet receives an invite to see Friar Lawrence, who marries her and Romeo. As Romeo returns to the carnival, Tybalt stirs up an argument and challenges Romeo’s friend Mercutio to a duel. The duel ends in Mercutio’s death.

Romeo leaves Verona at dawn. Juliet’s parents present her to Count Paris. The distraught Juliet runs away to Friar Lawrence who gives her a potion for feigning her own death. Juliet pretends to accept Paris’s proposal and drinks the potion.

Friar Lawrence, however, hasn’t told Romeo about the deceptive plan. Romeo believes Juliet to be really dead and kills Paris and himself at her burial chamber.

As Juliet wakes up, he sees the dead body of Romeo by her side and kills herself, as she can’t live without him.

For a detailed synopsis and other background information, please see the programme leaflet.

creative team

Choreography
John Cranko
Music
Sergei Prokofjev
Conductor
Johannes Witt
Sets and costumes
Susan Benson
Lighting design
Steen Bjarke

cast

listen to romeo and juliet

You must accept functional cookies to listen to the playlist. To modify your cookie settings, go to cookie settings at the bottom of the page.

tickets & performances

The keys to an entertaining evening

the keys to an entertaining evening

Order refreshments

Enjoy refreshments
before the show
or in the interval.
See the diverse menu
and place an order
in advance.

Programme booklets

Programme booklets
are sold by our
customer services,
the Opera Restaurant,
and our lobby
personnel for 7 euros.

Arriving at the Opera House

The Opera House
is located by the
Töölönlahti bay at
Helsinginkatu 58.
Learn the easiest
ways to get here.

Accessible seats

For accessible seats,
please call our
customer services.
Learn more about
accessibility at
the Opera House.