Synopsis

Act 1

Capellio, chief of the Capuleti clan, and Tebaldo, his right-hand man, inform their assembled followers that the Montecchi clan has proposed a peace offering: Capellio’s daughter, Giulietta, must marry Romeo of the Montecchi clan, who has recently killed Capellio’s son. Capellio explains that he plans to reject the offering, choosing instead to marry Giulietta to Tebaldo. Tebaldo vows to kill Romeo in order to avenge the death of Capellio’s son. The family doctor, Lorenzo, aware that Giuiletta and Romeo are secretly in love, insists that Giuiletta is ill with fever and cannot marry Tebaldo. Capellio and Tebaldo nevertheless decide that the wedding will take place immediately.

Romeo arrives, in disguise as an envoy from the Montecchi clan, and makes the expected peace offering. Capellio refuses to consider a peaceful compromise and Romeo finally accepts the Capuleti’s declaration of war.

Later, in her bedroom, Giuiletta longs for Romeo. Lorenzo informs her that he has arranged for Romeo to come to her through a secret door. Romeo arrives and tries to convince Giuiletta to elope with him, but Giuiletta refuses, terrified to sever her relationship with her father and besmirch her family’s honor.

Elsewhere, the Capuleti have gathered to celebrate the impending marriage of Tebaldo to Giuiletta. Romeo once again assumes his disguise and arranges for other members of his clan to meet him at the engagement party. When they arrive, Romeo leads an armed attack on the Capuleti who eventually apprehend him. Despite Giulietta’s attempts to conceal Romeo’s identity, he reveals his true name. The lovers are separated as the fight escalates.

Act 2

While Giuiletta anxiously awaits news of the battle, Lorenzo arrives and advises her to take a sleeping potion that will make her appear dead on the morning of her wedding to Tebaldo. He assures her he will arrange for Romeo to be there when she wakes up. Capellio arrives and orders Lorenzo to leave him alone with his daughter. He informs Giuiletta that she is to marry Tebaldo the next morning. Giuiletta consents but begs her father’s forgiveness before she goes to sleep and takes the potion. Capellio grows suspicious of Lorenzo and has him arrested.

Outside the Capuleti estate, Romeo waits for Lorenzo to lead him to Giuiletta. Instead, Tebaldo finds him and the two rivals come to blows. Giuiletta’s funeral procession passes by and interrupts their fight. United in their grief, they beg each other for the mercy of an honorable death.