Dutch National Opera & Ballet present
DISTINCTIVE INTERPRETATION OF A FAMOUS LOVE DRAMA
ROMÉO ET JULIETTE
Hector Berlioz
Symphonie dramatique
Libretto by Émile Deschamps
World premiere 24 november 1839, Conservatoire de Paris
THIS PRODUCTION
Nieuwe production for Dutch National Opera and Dutch National Ballet
Coproductie of Teatro alla Scala, Milaan and Deutsche Oper, Berlin
In collaboration with Opéra national de Paris
Première 15 april 2016
Sasha Waltz made a timeless and universal love story of Hector Berlioz’ version of Roméo et Juliette. In this Dutch premiere, Dutch National Opera and Dutch National Balletshared the stage for the first time in a production where opera and dance play equal roles.
In short
Berlioz was a master at choosing atmospheric scenes with great dramatic expression from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In his ‘symphonie dramatique’, he referred to the singing roles as the vocal types alto, tenor and bass, as they function primarily as narrators. The chorus plays a prominent role, sometimes as a commentator and sometimes as the two rival families.

Sasha Waltz
RegisseurSasha Waltz (director and choreographer) studied dance and choreography in Amsterdam and New York. She is co-founder of Sasha Waltz & Guests, created with partner Jochen Sandig in 1993 in Berlin. From 2000 to 2005 Waltz was one of the artistic leaders of the Schaubühne Berlin at the Lehniner Platz. Waltz and her company collaborate with a great variety of theatres, opera houses and museums. She focuses on developing renewed forms of performing arts and creating choreographical music theatre.
Dancers
The roles of Roméo and Juliette will be danced by Igone de Jongh, James Stout, Erica Horwood and Matthew Pawlicki- Sinclair.
Fri. 15 April 2016 20.00 Igone de Jongh en James Stout
Sat. 16 April 2016 20.00 Igone de Jongh en James Stout
Wed. 20 April 2016 20.00 Igone de Jongh en James Stout
Thu. 21 April 2016 20.00 Igone de Jongh en James Stout
Sun. 24 April 2016 14.00 Erica Horwood en Matthew Pawlicki- Sinclair
Mon. 25 April 2016 20.00 Erica Horwood en Matthew Pawlicki- Sinclair
Thu. 28 April 2016 20.00 Erica Horwood en Matthew Pawlicki- Sinclair
Sun. 1 May 2016 14.00 Erica Horwood en Matthew Pawlicki- Sinclair
The cast is always subject to change
Team, Cast and Chorus
- Musical Director
- Kazushi Ono
- Stage Director and choreography
- Sasha Waltz
- Sets
- Pia Maier Schrijver, Thomas Schenk en Sasha Waltz
- Costumes
- Bernd Skodzig
- Lighting
- David Finn
- Orchestra
- Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra
- Chorus
- Dutch National Opera Chorus
- Chorus Master
- Ching-Lien Wu
- Dancers
- Dutch National Ballet
- Alto
- Alisa Kolosova
- Tenor
- Benjamin Bernheim
- Bass
- Paul Gay
Music
Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra
Dutch National Opera’s regular orchestra partner is regarded internationally as one of the best opera orchestras. The orchestra gives a varied programme of concerts in the Concertgebouw, as well as performing in various Dutch concert halls and at venues and festivals abroad.
Choreographic music theatre
In her contemporary ‘choreographic music theatre’, the German choreographer Sasha Waltz combines opera and dance on a completely equal footing. In Waltz’ hands, the famous love drama is interpreted by ballet soloists, singing soloists, a corps de ballet and the chorus. In 2014, Sasha Waltz guested with Dutch National Opera with Orfeo. Roméo et Juliette is regarded as one of the highlights of her oeuvre.
Kazushi Ono
For Romeo et Juliette, the leading Japanese conductor Kazushi Ono is returning to Dutch National Opera & Ballet for the first time since Émilie (2011). Ono is the principal conductor of the Opéra National de Lyon and was the musical director at De Munt in Brussels. He enjoys working with established opera directors like Peter Stein and Laurent Pelly, as well as with artists outside the traditional opera circuit, such as film director François Girard.
Coproduction: Teatro alla Scala, Milaan Deutsche Oper Berlin in association with Opéra National de Paris
From Paris to St. Petersburg, Russia, Waltz has earned praise for her highly theatrical and physically rigorous dances.