Ah! voici nos gens

ROMÉO ET JULIETTE
Opéra en 5 actes
Composer: Charles Gounod (1818–1893)
Libretto: Jules Barbier & Michael Carré, after Shakespeare
First performed: Théâtre Lyrique, Paris, 27 April 1867

SETTING: Verona, 16th century

PLOT:
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove.

No. 12 – Chanson : 'Depuis hier je cherche en vain mon maître !'
No. 13 – Finale : 'Ah ! Ah ! Voici nos gens !'

Roméo's page Stephano is looking for his master, who has been missing since the previous evening. When he sings a mocking song comparing the Capulets to a nest of vultures habouring a sighing dove, Gregorio challenges him to a duel. Mercutio hastens to his aid, and is killed in a duel by Juliet's cousin Tybalt. Romeo kills Tybalt, and is banished from Verona by the Duke.

Roméo Montaigu (tenor): Alfredo Kraus
Juliette Capulet (soprano): Catherine Malfitano
Stéphano, page de Roméo / Romeo’s page (mezzo-soprano): Ann Murray
Grégorio, valet des Capulet (baritone): Jean-Marie Fremeau
Mercutio, ami de Roméo / Romeo’s friend (baritone) : Gino Quilico
Tybalt, cousin de Juliette / Juliet’s cousin (tenor) : Charles Burles
Benvolio, ami de Roméo / Romeo’s friend (tenor) : Roger Trentin

Conductor: Michel Plasson
Chœur & Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse
Toulouse, 1983