Romeo & Juliet

The world's most famous lovers have inspired more music than we can perform. So we've selected our favorites from Prokofiev and Bernstein.

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Risør kirke
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Romeo og Julie
Henry Fuseli

About the concert

This is surely the clearest example of literature as inspiration for music.

Everyone has heard Prokofiev's ballet music. But there's always someone who learns that West Side Story is a modern interpretation of Romeo and Juliet set in New York's streets.

In 30 years we could present the same concert with new work, but these two composers will undoubtedly always be included.

Additional Content

Concert program

The Most Romantic Lieder Ever, vol. 39

The Most Romantic Lieder Ever, vol. 39

  • Robert Schumann: Widmung, from Op. 25 (1840)
  • Clara Schumann: Liebst du um Schönheit, from Op. 12 (1841)
  • Robert Schumann: Im wunderschönen Monat Mai, from Op. 48 (1840)
  • Johannes Brahms: Ständchen, from Op. 106 (1885–88)
  • Hugo Wolf: Und willst du deinen Liebsten sterben sehen (1891)
  • Johannes Brahms: Botschaft, from Op. 47 (1858–68)

Performers:

  • Roderick Williams, baritone
  • Gunnar Flagstad, piano
Sergei Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet

Sergei Prokofiev: From Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 (1935–36)

Prokofiev composed the work in 1935 but made major revisions before its premiere in 1940. The well-known colorful and dramatic music exists in several concert suites, also arranged for violin and piano.

Performers:

  • Arabella Steinbacher, violin
  • Gunnar Flagstad, piano
Giovanni Rota: A Time for Us

Giovanni "Nino" Rota (1911–1979): A Time for Us, love theme from the film Romeo and Juliet (1968)

Performers:

  • Lars Andreas Aspesæter, piano
Leonard Bernstein: West Side Story

Leonard Bernstein: From West Side Story (1957)

Bernstein's 1957 musical West Side Story is a modern interpretation of Romeo and Juliet in the form of a Broadway classic. Several of the songs and instrumental numbers are among the most famous in American musical theater repertoire.

  • Tonight
  • A boy like that – I have a love
  • America
  • Maria
  • Somewhere

Performers:

  • Roderick Williams, baritone
  • Lars Andreas Aspesæter, piano
  • Lilli Maijala, viola
  • Frida Fredrikke Wærvågen, cello
  • Frode Berg, double bass
  • Alžběta Baldová, clarinet

Artists