Romeo and Juliet
My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to three, the
more I have, for both are infinite.
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, and also it is one of
Shakespeare’s most-illustrated works. The play was first published in 1595, and today it
is going to be played by Ballet Victoria 420 years later.
Scholars have thought there are 4 themes, which is love, fate and chance, duality (light
and dark), time, in Romeo and Juliet. This story is about two young loves from feuding
families who hate another one. In a few days, a lot of things occurred between Romeo
and Juliet, which is meeting they get married, get separated, and end up killing
themselves. The reason is why they don't want to live without the other person.
Sergei Prokofiev reused music from the ballet in three suites for orchestra and solo
piano work. The ballet requires the use of the tenor saxophone. This voice adds a
unique sound to the orchestra as it is used both in solo and as part of the ensemble.
Sergei Prokofiev also used the cornet, viola d’amore, and mandolins in ballet, adding an
Italianate flavor to the music.