The Capulets and the Montagues

Based on the Italian story that yielded Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this opera features some exquisite arias, especially Giulietta’s “Oh quante volte” from Act 1. But mainly it’s an ensemble opera, in which the partnership of the superb mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and the “it’s about time we heard her” soprano Nicole Cabell could potentially take your breath away. Throw in the debut of tenor Saimir Pirgu, the eagerly awaited return of bass Eric Owens, and the gifted Adler baritone Ao Li, not to mention a new production, and there’s every reason to grab this one.