The ultimate love story plays out on the Centennial Concert Hall stage this week as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents Romeo and Juliet.
One of the hallmarks of the celebrated production is the marvelous score prepared by Sergei Prokofiev which captures the essence of the play through powerful melodies and dynamic orchestration.
“For me personally, it is one of the most satisfying – if not the most satisfying – pieces of music I’ve ever conducted,” says RWB Music Director and Principal Conductor Julian Pellicano.
“I think I can speak for musicians in orchestras worldwide that this is probably their favourite ballet to perform... especially the Winnipeg Symphony – they love playing this music.”
Last spring, Pellicano had the opportunity to direct the National Ballet of Canada in a more modern staging of Romeo and Juliet choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky.
“It was an amazing experience,” reflects Pellicano. “It’s a different production, though... Our production at the RWB is truly a classic by Rudi van Danzig.”
Having premiered in 1981, the RWB last staged Romeo and Juliet in 2019 – making this Pellicano’s first time leading the ballet and the WSO (of which he is associate conductor) in the well-loved score.
“With masterpieces like (Romeo and Juliet), there’s a reason we perform them multiple times,” explains Pellicano. “They’re so deep, they’re so well-crafted that the interpretation can be very wide. There’s so much to get from (both the music and the dance).”
Romeo and Juliet runs from Thursday, February 15 through Sunday, February 18. Showtimes and casts vary.
To purchase tickets and learn more, visit: www.rwb.org