Romeo and Juliet
Charles Gounod
Reduced Orchestration: 1(picc)011 1100 11111 harp/organ timp/perc
Flute/Piccolo(optional), Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp/Organ, Timpani/Percussion
This orchestral reduction of Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet is aimed for performance using twelve players (this assumes that the harp is able to double with the organ - the organ part is very small and the two instruments do not play together).
The arrangement also works with multiple strings. Two sets of string parts are available: a ‘single strings’ set (ie, when performing with just a string quintet 11111); and a ‘multiple strings’ set (when performing with, say, 43321).
An alternative ending for Act III, the Final des Duels (Version de l’Opera) is also included.
There is a cut within Juliet’s aria ‘Dieu! Quell frisson’ which takes the length of this aria down to about half. Other than this aria all the music from the opera appears complete.