This article analyses the structure of Prokofiev's ballet score 'Romeo and Juliet' as an intersemiotic translation of Shakespeare's play

Bennett, Karen

The Cambridge Quarterly

English

Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa

Star-Cross’d Lovers: Shakespeare and Prokofiev’s pas-de-deux in “Romeo and Juliet”

30 Sc V 30. The Folk Festival Goes On.

A; shrill tremolo strings answered by basses, as in ‘The Quarrel’

A; tremolo chords in violins, echoed by bass, reminiscent of ‘The Quarrel’;

and at first leaps up ecstatic to be alive. Then she finds Paris’ body, then Romeo’s. Anguished, she grabs his knife and stabs herself with it. Bald cloaked figures claw their way across darkening stage.

and the lovers make love passionately. On final notes, Romeo escapes out the window.

Appeals to Lady Capulet. Lord Capulet rebukes him. Guests begin playing and dancing together

Benvolio and 29 c) Nurse appears and is teased by boys; d) Nurse gives Romeo the letter; plans for wedding the next day

Benvolio; chorus bows to him. 26 2. Romeo (5-8): Romeo Theme, clownish and lighthearted

Bridge passage ending on ominous chords. 29. Juliet with Father Laurence:

Bridge passage with motif from the Nurse Theme and Juliet C Theme Omitted

Capulet Ladies lighter, fading away.

Capulets bowed in grief around Juliet’s body. All eventually leave except Paris. Romeo rushes in. He fights with Paris and kills him. Romeo picks up Juliet’s body and dances with it desperately. He drinks poison.

Capulets provoking each other in energetic folk dance

Capulets receiving guests (Tybalt in central position) Enter Mercutio, Romeo & Benvolio Romeo courting Rosaline. Paris enters, greeted by Capulets. Mercutio is greeted by Lord Cap. At end, Mercutio gives Romeo a Capulet jacket 13. Dance of the Knights:

change of mood, Andante Sc II Juliet’s Antechamber

Chorus led by Paris

chorus. Sc IV: Capulets busy about preparing for wedding Sc V: a) Juliet found by Nurse, who calls Lady C. b) Family and guests mourn and bear her to church 50. At Juliet’s Death Bed:

Chromatic distortion of Knights Theme B; ‘bellpealing’ effect; gong; trumpets; sudden shocked silences

Clowning about, pretends to be ill/hurt (foreshadowing his death)

clowning about, Romeo merely watches. Mercutio dances in Capulet cloak. Distributes masks. Romeo before leaving gives coin to beggar who promptly dies. Sc V: a) Capulets welcome guests to party ScIII. 11. Arrival of the Guests (Minuet)

dance with mandolins and chequered flags.

Death Theme very anguished.

Descriptive bridge passage on flute and violins

Dream sequence interspersed with fragment of Juliet Theme C

Enter the families, bewailing the death. (283) Juliet executes dance of rage and anguish. g) Prince announces that Romeo is banished Act III Sc I 37. Introduction: Repeat of 7. The Duke’s Order Act III ScI. Juliet’s Bedroom

fast bowing accompanied by sustained bass notes.

Father enters. Paris is presented to her and she submissively agrees to dance with him Sc II: a) Capulet servants preparing for wedding Sc VIII 46. Again with Juliet

Five Couples Theme B Sc I. The Market Place

Flirty Theme and Nurse Theme 10. The

followed by variation of same

Foreground: Romeo courting Rosaline in flirty, almost bawdy way

fragment of Juliet Theme B urgently; several sharp chords

fragments of motifs from

frantic agitated bowing in strings leading to R&J Theme A harmonically distorted.

Friar Laurence goes to altar and picks up a bouquet of flowers and a skull.

furiously alone. Dance becomes sad and poignant. Lord Capulet enters and bullies her into submission. At the end, she is forcefully bound into the red Capulet dress.

Graceful dance of girls

gradual build-up of tension with ‘bell-peal’ effect. Sharp chords to end. 34. Mercutio’s Death:

gradually slows, echoing

Great lurching crescendos of strings

his friends clowning about in street, lighthearted and frivolous. Sc III: Nurse, Juliet & Lady Capulet. Juliet’s mother mentions marriage to Paris Sc II 9. Preparation for the Ball (Juliet and Nurse):

In the square. Romeo sits alone dreaming. Mercutio teasing Nurse. Romeo recognises Nurse and goes after her but she disappears.

Jerky excited variation of Love Theme

Juliet solo They dance together; J. removes R’s mask. They kiss.

Knights A distorted 33. Tybalt Fights Against Mercutio:

Knights Theme A with Knights B on brass

lighthearted Sc II: a) Paris asks Capulet for Juliet’s hand; Capulet announces party b) Benvolio advises Romeo to look out other lovers; they learn of Cap’s party & Rosaline’s presence

Lord and Lady 34 b) Juliet submissively reports that she is ready for marriage very slowly and sadly

Love Theme B 40. The Nurse:

Madrigal Theme played in bass sombrely 24. Dance of the Five Couples

Masks Theme B counterpointed with Flirty Theme gradually losing energy. Long chords at end. 35. Romeo Decides to Avenge Mercutio’s Death:

Mercutio is hurt but everyone thinks he is still clowning around. When he eventually collapses to the ground on final chord, his friends all clap the performance.

Mercutio leaps in and fights with Tybalt, always cheekily. At one point, he pretends to be badly hurt, but then gets up. He seems to have won. Then, on the final chord, Tybalt throws knife.

Mercutio Theme counterpointed with Knights A.

Montagues now openly provoking one another, using rude bawdy gestures, grabs and blows

Motif from R&J Theme followed by Love Theme

Nervous semiquavers, gradually quickening.

Nervous strings with ominous chords. Mercutio Theme cheekily

Nurse enters with red Capulet dress. Mother enters and tries to persuade her to put on dress. Paris appears in wings, then leaves. Juliet appeals tearfully to Nurse and refuses to put on dress.

ominous bald figures in cloaks lurk in shadows; single powerful figure pushes apart city walls; Act I Sc I 3. The Street Awakens: Flirty Theme (allegretto) 4. Dance in the Morning:

opening phrase of Knights Theme B repeated several times

Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy (Decca),

Picks up knife. Juliet continues to dance herself into a pitch of anguish. Act IV Sc I: a) Friar Laurence with Paris b) Juliet enters & Paris leaves. Friar elaborates plan to take sleeping draught Sc II 44. With Lorenzo:

Repeat of Interlude 43. Balthasar wakes him to tell him the terrible news. They dance together in an anguished way. At end, Romeo runs off. Sc II: Friar Laurence sends Friar John to Romeo with message Sc V

Repeat of R&J Theme as at 137 Romeo sleeping on floor is rocked by girls, who bring Juliet to him.

repeated in anguished tone with echoes of R&J Theme A

Return to Knights A, but lighter at first, then gradually increasing

Romeo tries to make peace in vain.

Sc V: Juliet awaiting Nurse; Nurse enters and gives her new she is to be married the next day Sc VI: The Wedding at Friar Laurence’s cell 28. Romeo with Father Laurence:

Series of isolated staccato chords. 36. Finale Act II: Dirge Theme

Shadowy figures at back illuminated, revealed to be Capulets dressed in red. Posturing on both sides. Finally someone is knocked over.

Snatch of Folk dance Theme A. 31. Another Folk Dance: Folk Dance Themes A/B Sc III The Market Place

Subsides into monotone chord sequence. Ends on tolling bass. ScVII The Capulet Crypt

Sudden slowing of speed;  time; trumpet & timpani herald. Act I Sc I The Market Place

teased by Mercutio and Benvolio. At end, Romeo plucks letter from her hand.

Theme A

Theme A 42. Juliet Alone: R&J Theme very sadly, interspersed with fragments of Love Theme A, gradually becomes more anguished 43. Interlude R&J Theme extremely anguished

Theme A shrilly

Theme B given by different instruments all out of time with each other

Theme B interchanged with Love Theme A

Theme B Sc II A Chapel

Theme C sadly in cellos

Theme C very sadly and slowly

ThemeB 18. Gavotte (Departure of Guests): at first alone, then with family. Men of family dancing. Lady Cap. gives them swords and dance turns more aggressive: Closes with banner held aloft.

Themes A

They touch. Juliet solo. Romeo solo, then dances with Juliet. Paris asks for her back, but is retrieved by Mercutio who passes her back to Romeo.

to take potion. Shadowy figures of Romeo and Tybalt appear and struggle for her in dreamy fashion. At end she takes potion and collapses onto bed. 48. Morning Serenade 49. Lily Dance of the Maidens

Tybalt strides onto the stage, incensed. Mercutio and Benvolio provoke him and he gets progressively more enraged. Romeo appears and tries to diffuse situation.

Variation of Courtly Theme 41. Juliet Refuses to Marry

Variation of Masks Theme A but with very different mood; slightly wistful.

Variation of same on flute and bassoon

Variation Romeo: Variation of Romeo Theme (bearing elements of Love Theme A) 21. Love Dance:

Video, performed by the Paris Opera Ballet (Warner Music Vision /NVC Arts),

With growing nervousness, the friends realise Mercutio is dead. Romeo challenges Tybalt. They wrestle over knife. Tybalt charges like a bull, and Romeo uses red Capulet cloak like toreador. Tybalt is stabbed.

with trumpets and drums (The Procession marches by)

Star-Cross’d Lovers: Shakespeare and Prokofiev’s pas-de-deux in “Romeo and Juliet”

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