Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: opera
Song Meaning of “Roméo et Juliette / Ouverture-Prologue: “Vérone vit jadis deux familles rivales”” by Charles Gounod
The song “Roméo et Juliette / Ouverture-Prologue: “Vérone vit jadis deux familles rivales” by Charles Gounod paints a portrait of a doomed relationship doomed from the start by the eternal struggle between two warring families. It speaks of the epic love story of Romeo and Juliet, and how their passionate love could not survive the hatred of their families in the ancient city of Verona. The instrumental opening, performed by strings, creates a tense atmosphere of war and hatred, as if these two families have been at battle for time immemorial. This underlying tension carries the song to its climax, as Romeo and Juliet finally meet and declare their love in oblivion of their family’s hatred for one another. The melody powerfully emphasizes a sense of tragedy and inevitability, as their fated love affair will undoubtedly meet a heartbreaking end. The cheery ending notes remind us of Romeo and Juliet’s brief moment of joy, and how beautiful their forbidden love was in spite of the hostile warring factions, restoring a sense of hope and peace in Romeo and Juliet’s lasting memory.