Opera by Charles Gounod. Libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré after William Shakespeare’s play of the same name. World premiere on April 27, 1867 (Théâtre-Lyrique). Premiere at the Estonian National Opera on September 20, 2019.

The success of “Faust” in 1859 had motivated the director of theatre Théâtre-Lyrique, Léon Carvalho to commission a subsequent opera from Gounod. The composer’s splendid version of Shakespeare’s tragic story is graceful, dramatic, and supremely melodic. It is famous for its deeply emotional love duets, its beautiful orchestral colours and its heart-stirring choruses. This work is one of the huge hits of 19th century French opera.