This week, the Teatro San Carlo will open a new production of “Roméo et Juliette” with a starry cast including Nadine Sierra and Javier Camarena. The production was first performed at the Bilbao Opera and received rave reviews. Now it is heading to Napoli and its director, Giorgia Guerra will make her Teatro San Carlo debut.

In preparation for her debut, Guerra spoke to OperaWire, about this debut and returning to her production.

OperaWire: How does it feel to debut at a legendary and historic theater like the San Carlo in Naples?

Giorgia Guerra: It is a great privilege to debut at such an important theater. I would say it feels as unexpected as it does well-deserved. I’m thrilled that the quality of the production is worthy of this magnificent venue, and I’m looking forward to starting rehearsals.

OW: Shakespeare’s play is based on the passionate love of two teenagers, Romeo and Juliet, and the hatred between their rival families. What is your staging approach to bring this immortal story to life?

GG: The presence of the family and the weight of the decisions inherited by the two teenagers is strongly emphasized. Shakespeare told us a story of generational conflict that only love can break. Despite the power of their love, the hatred between the families weighs heavily and ultimately dooms the two lovers.

Visually, the staging features a massive monolith representing the family, which, though initially defied by the young lovers, ultimately crushes them irrevocably.

In a timeless stage design, these famous and historical characters come to life through period costumes that reveal their pure and genuine emotions, bringing a deeply moving tragedy to the audience.

Additionally, the artistic team’s work has focused on merging tradition and innovation. This dichotomy can be interpreted in various ways, and in this particular case, innovation is introduced through the use of projected images. One might think projections are no longer innovative, given their long-standing use, but I believe the approach we’ve developed with Imaginarium Creative Studios manages to communicate in a highly modern visual style.

OW: You premiered this production in Bilbao. Are there any aspects of the stage direction you plan to change when bringing it to a new stage?

GG: Upon revisiting it, I will certainly make small adjustments. The magic of opera lies in how poetic growth can arise from subtle tweaks that align with the production. The work we did with the creative team before the Bilbao premiere was intense, and we’re very satisfied with what we achieved, but there’s always room for improvement.

OW: How does it feel to work again with the same leads, and how do you think the production will evolve?

GG: I like to think that the time that has elapsed since the Bilbao premiere and this February’s opening at the Teatro San Carlo has allowed the two leads to mature, making this vision of “Roméo et Juliette” more their own than mine. Ultimately, my role serves as a bridge between Shakespeare’s words and the singers’ actions. I’m confident it will be wonderful to dream with them once more, immersed in Gounod’s music. On the other hand, it will also be fantastic to build the characters from scratch with other cast members who weren’t part of the Bilbao production. Each artist will bring a unique color to their character, completing the picture.

OW: The audience in Naples is different, obviously, from the one that attended the premiere. How do you think this production will resonate with the Italian public?

GG: I believe opera audiences possess great sensitivity, regardless of nationality. The San Carlo is a theater with a rich historical tradition and a cultured, discerning, and attentive audience, ready to embrace and appreciate any kind of proposal. Moreover, I am confident that the two leads, both magnificent performers, will evoke and bring to life the extraordinary story Romeo and Juliet, supported by a top-tier cast, just as they did in Bilbao.

OW: What would you like the audience to take away from your work as director?

GG: Calm and emotion. My goal is to offer a fresh perspective on this universal story that has fascinated generations, allowing the audience to step away from the frenetic pace of modern life and embark on a journey filled with passion and beautiful music. I hope the poetry contained in this opera resonates with the audience, inviting them to be swept away by Gounod’s extraordinary music. We all know the tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet’s immortal drama, but the magic lies in how it still inspires us to believe in the power of love.

Other Productions 

For those not familiar with Guerra’s productions, the director has helmed such works as “I Puritani” and “Ernani at the Ópera de Oviedo.

Here is a look at “Romeo et Juliette” from Bilbao Opera: