Shakespeare published the play Romeo and Juliet in 1597. Since, this timeless and tragic love story has been told countless times in theatre, literature, dance and film. Sergei Prokofiev originally wrote his Romeo and Juliet as a ballet, in 1935, and then reprised it as three suites arranged for orchestra and solo piano. Initially, Prokofiev’s version gave a positive outcome for the young couple, unlike Shakespeare’s story. But at the time, this sparked controversy among Soviet officials and the ballet reverted to the original storyline and tragic ending.

The Ottawa Symphony has played this orchestral favourite a number of times: first in 1982 and then in 1985 under Music Director Brian Law; again in 2007 lead by Music Director David Currie; and most recently, earlier in the 19-20 season, on 7 October 2019 lead by current Music Director Alain Trudel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet_(Prokofiev)

Curators | Nos conservateurs

Dr. David Gardner
Ottawa Symphony Historian | Historien de l’ Orchestre symphonique d’ Ottawa

Alain Trudel
Ottawa Symphony Music Director | directeur musicale

Read All About It!

Read the programme notes written by Dr. David Gardner

About the composer

Go back to episode 4 to read about Prokofiev!

Prok Culture?

Prokofiev on The Simpsons, Dancing with the Stars…..Check out the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) listing of Sergei Prokofiev’s music in screen soundtracks.

The Emergency Relief Fund of the Musicians’ Association of Local 180 (Ottawa-Gatineau) supports local musicians affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic.

To help, go to: ma180.org