At the Capulets’ masked ball, the host’s nephew Tybalt teases Count Paris about his newly betrothed: Juliet, the Capulets’ daughter. Capulet introduces an excited Juliet to the guests and invites everyone to dance. 

Despite the long-standing feud between their families, Romeo, a Montague, reluctantly tries to sneak into the Capulet ball in disguise with his friend Mercutio. Romeo shares an ominous dream with his friends, but Mercutio dismisses it as the work of the fairy Queen Mab. Mercutio assures the young Montague that the ball will distract him from his unfruitful infatuation with the lady Rosaline. 

Romeo is indeed distracted when he spies Juliet dancing across the room. He falls instantly in love with her, and Mercutio pulls him away. Juliet tells her nurse, Gertrude, that she is not interested in marriage and would rather hold onto her youth. But when Juliet sees Romeo, her heart is immediately drawn to him.  

A suspicious Tybalt arrives to whisk his cousin Juliet away, and Romeo realizes she is Capulet’s daughter. Tybalt recognizes Romeo as a member of the enemy Montague family and is about to confront him until Capulet intervenes. Romeo, along with his friends, quickly retreats. Scene averted, Capulet invites his guests to enjoy the masquerade. 

Later that night, Romeo sneaks into the Capulets’ garden to search for Juliet. When she steps out onto her balcony, he surprises her and confesses his love. Some of the Capulet servants are looking for Romeo’s page, Stephano, who was seen nearby, and they interrupt the lovers’ encounter. Gertrude takes Juliet inside, but the young girl returns to the balcony to bid goodnight to Romeo. She assures him she will be his forever, and if he plans to marry her, he should send word the next day. After a final goodnight, Juliet returns to her bedroom, and Romeo begs the breeze to send her his kiss. 

Romeo visits Friar Laurence early the next morning and proclaims his love for Juliet. Knowing the feud between the Capulet and Montague families, the friar is cautious. Juliet appears shortly after, along with her nurse Gertrude. Friar Laurence hopes that their young love will heal the feud between the families and marries them in a joyous ceremony. 

INTERMISSION 

Outside the Capulet palace, Stephano, Romeo’s page, sings a mocking serenade. Gregorio, a Capulet retainer, overhears and angrily confronts Stephano. Other Capulets follow as Mercutio steps in to defend Stephano and the arriving Montagues. Tybalt challenges the Montagues to a sword fight, but Romeo refuses. Even though his marriage is a secret, he has no wish to fight his now-kinsman. He tries to reason with Tybalt, but Mercutio jumps in to fight Tybalt in Romeo’s stead and is fatally wounded. With his dying breath, Mercutio curses both the feuding houses. Enraged, Romeo fights and kills Tybalt. The Duke of Verona appears, and as both families demand justice, banishes Romeo from the city.  

It is nearly dawn, and Romeo and Juliet have just spent their secret wedding night together. Their passion is shadowed by sorrow as Juliet forgives Romeo for killing Tybalt and offers him comfort. As the sun rises, they pledge themselves to each other once more. Romeo finally tears himself from Juliet’s arms and slips away. 

Soon after, Capulet appears with Friar Laurence at his side to inform Juliet that she is to marry Count Paris that afternoon. Friar Laurence stays behind to counsel a desperate Juliet. He gives her a potion that will make her appear dead and assures her she will awaken with Romeo beside her. Fortified by her love for Romeo, she overcomes her fears and drinks the potion. Once at the chapel for her wedding to Count Paris, she collapses. Her father announces her death to the horrified wedding guests. 

Romeo arrives at the Capulets’ crypt, devastated but determined to say a final farewell to his wife. Believing Juliet to be dead, Romeo kisses her one last time and then drinks a vial of poison. At that moment, Juliet awakens and joyfully greets her love. They share a final, happy vision of their future outside Verona’s walls.  Romeo suddenly weakens and admits that he has poisoned himself. Juliet refuses to be left behind; she takes his dagger and stabs herself. With their dying breaths, the young lovers ask God for forgiveness.