Opera San José is set to launch its 40th Anniversary season with a new production of Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet,” directed by OSJ General Director Shawna Lucey.

The production will be Lucey’s first for the company.

Several artists will make role debuts, including rising star tenor Joshua Sanders as Romeo and sopranos Melissa Sondhi and Jasmine Habersham in the title role of Juliet.

The cast will also include Alex Boyer as Tybalt, and bass Kenneth Kellogg as the Duke. Bass Vartan Gabrielian makes his OSJ debut as Frère Laurent and baritone Efraín Solís returns to the company as Mercutio. Opera San José Director of Music Joseph Marcheso will conduct.

“Romeo and Juliet” will be present between Sept. 9 and 24, 2023