Resonance Works concludes its 13th season with Roméo & Juliette, Charles Gounod’s operatic retelling of Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers and the devastating cost of hatred, performed in Pittsburgh for the first time in 20 years. Performances take place on Friday, June 19, at 8:00 PM, and on Sunday, June 21, at 3:00 PM, at The New Hazlett Theater.

Gounod’s luminous score brings Shakespeare’s beloved characters to urgent, aching life, from the ecstasy of first love to the catastrophic consequences of a feud neither side chose. “In this time of great division in our world, Roméo & Julietteis just as relevant as it was in Shakespeare’s and in Gounod’s time,” says Maria Sensi Sellner, Artistic & General Director of Resonance Works. “These beloved characters remind us of the human consequences of villainizing one another. Roméo & Juliettereminds us, in the opera’s own words, that ‘des haines le temps est passé’ — the time for hatred has passed.”

Shakespeare’s tale and Gounod’s score are brought to life by a spectacular ensemble cast, led by returning soprano Helen Zhibing Huang as Juliette, and Pittsburgh native tenor Benjamin Werley, making his Resonance Works debut as Roméo. Also making their company debuts are acclaimed bass Philip Cokorinos as Friar Laurence, bass-baritone Ricardo Herrera as Juliette’s father, Lord Capulet, and mezzo-soprano Cherry Duke as Gertrude, Juliette’s confidante. Returning favorites George Milosh and Patrick McNally find themselves on opposite sides of the centuries-old feud as Juliette’s cousin Tybalt and Roméo’s friend Mercutio, respectively.

Acclaimed Metropolitan Opera bass Philip Cokorinos as Friar Laurence with Helen Zhibing Huang’s Juliette (Photo courtesy of El Paso Opera)

“Resonance Works is all about helping people experience classic stories and music in new ways, and Roméo & Juliette does just that. We are so proud to bring this beautiful opera back to Pittsburgh after more than twenty years, with a cast and creative team that will surprise, thrill, and deeply move audiences.”

TICKETS & DETAILS

Resonance Works production of Roméo & Juliette has performances Friday, June 19, 2026 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 3:00 pm. Tickets at www.resonanceworks.org/romeo-juliette

Categories: Arts and Ideas, Show Previews

Tags: Maria Sensi Sellner, New Hazett Therater, Resonnance Works, Roméo & Juliette