Composed by Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) in 1830, the two-act opera I CAPULETTI E I MONTECCHI (THE CAPULETS AND THE MONTAGUES) stands as one of only two successful opera adaptations of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the other being Charles Gounod's. While technically written in only six weeks, much of the score is borrowed from Bellini's recent failure, Zaira. This rendition of the tragic story of star-crossed lovers premiered on March 11, 1830, at Venice's Teatro La Fenice, Pietro Tonassi conducting. A swelling drum roll introduces the effervescent Overture, which sets the stage for the opening chorus which takes place in a hall of the Capulet palace. Instrumentation: 1+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp, Perc (3-4): Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set).