Palm Beach Opera begins its 2025 season with Charles Gounod’s timeless masterpiece, Roméo et Juliette on January 24–26 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
Celebrated for its lush melodies and dramatic intensity, this stirring adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tale of star-crossed lovers will be presented in a grand production inspired by the Globe Theatre and complemented by luxurious period costumes.. Palm Beach Opera’s Ari Rifkin Music Director David Stern returns to conduct this operatic favorite after leading 18 acclaimed productions with the company. Esteemed stage director, Tara Faircloth, known for her work with Lyric Opera of Chicago and Arizona Opera, makes her Palm Beach Opera debut, bringing her dynamic vision to the romantic tragedy.
In an exciting cast update, acclaimed soprano Kathryn Lewek will join the production as Juliette, returning to Palm Beach Opera following her “radiant” appearance in the tour-de-force role of the Four Heroines in last season’s The Tales of Hoffmann. Lewek made her Palm Beach Opera debut in 2021 as the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, a signature role for which she holds the Metropolitan Opera record for most performances in company history.
The star-studded opening night also includes tenor Long Long as Roméo, whose recent performance of this role with Dallas Opera earned him the company’s Maria Callas Debut Award. The titles roles on Saturday night will be played by Lydia Grindatto and Eric Taylor, each national finalists in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition last season. The production also features Alfred Walker as Frère Laurent, a role he performed at the Metropolitan Opera last season, and Aleksey Bogdanov as Capulet and Lauren Decker as Gertrude, both familiar faces to Palm Beach Opera audiences. An ensemble of talented Palm Beach Opera Young Artists and Bailey Apprentice Artists rounds out the cast.
“Opening our season with Roméo et Juliette is a beautiful celebration of the world-class artistry which Palm Beach Opera strives to deliver for our community,” said General Director James Barbato. “With a stellar cast, an exceptional creative team, and Gounod’s magnificent score, this production will captivate audiences with its timeless story of love and loss.”
Set in Renaissance Verona, Roméo et Juliette follows the passionate and tragic journey of two lovers from feuding families, united in their devotion but undone by fate. Gounod’s achingly beautiful score sweeps audiences away in a whirlwind of romance, defiance, and unforgettable melodies highlighted by soaring arias and heartfelt duets.
Performed in French with English supertitles, Roméo et Juliette remains one of the most beloved works in the French operatic repertoire.
Performances take place Friday and Saturday, January 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, January 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets for Roméo et Juliette are now available through the Palm Beach Opera box office. For more information visit PBOpera.org or call 561-833-7888.
About Palm Beach Opera
Palm Beach Opera is dedicated to producing live opera at an international standard of excellence, enriching the lives of the communities it serves with a diverse offering of educational programs, and training the next generation of opera stars. Founded in 1961, the fully professional Palm Beach Opera presents mainstage performances at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach and is a proud member of OPERA America and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.