Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet: Salvador Brotons & Barcelona Symphony Orchestra

About the Event

They told him it could neither be danced to nor listened to. But time proved him right in the end, and Romeo and Juliet has become
one of the most widely performed works by Prokofiev. The program also includes the best American music: Barber's popular symphonic Adagio of the 20th century, and Copland's bright and spectacular Clarinet Concerto, first performed by Benny Goodman, the “King of Swing”.

The music of the ballet Romeo and Juliet was released as concert music and not as music for choreography: the dancers refused to perform it and, although he had signed a contract with the Bolshoi, it took ten years to schedule it as a ballet. Prokofiev’s music masterfully places us in the middle of the fights between the Montagues and Capulets, and helps us understand the forbidden love between the two most famous lovers in history. Direct and energetic music.

The popularity of Samuel Barber’s Adagio is such that in recent years we have been able to hear it in many very different contexts: ceremonies, films, advertisements, etc. There is no doubt, however, that it sounds best live on stage.