An Opera Couple’s Abridged but Ardent ‘Romeo’

Whatever you want to call it--a “Romeo” quickie or “Highlights From Gounod’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ “--this 90-minute precis of the four-hour, five-act opera on the “Great Performances” series is worth watching.

It is admirable primarily because of the impassioned and controlled singing of Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu in the title roles, the solid leadership of veteran conductor Anton Guadagno and the atmospheric natural scenery of the rural Czech Republic, including the 13th century Royal Castle of Zvikov, where the performance was shot.

Running less than 75 minutes (the opera usually unfolds in more than three hours), Gounod’s irresistible score is compacted and streamlined drastically. But the lovers’ duets and some arias remain, sung ardently and handsomely by the Sicilian-French tenor and his Romanian soprano wife, both in fine voice, though not heard to best advantage in the mediocre television acoustic.

Still, the strong chemistry between the couple is palpable, and their acting convincing in every way. They move through the castle archways and balconies and across forested pathways with dramatic compulsion. Their youth, and the heat of their emotions, come through.

Surrounding the fated couple are serviceably credible friends and relatives, their parts pared to minuscule size.

Director Barbara Willis Sweete moves the principals around convincingly, but creates zombie-like movements and expressions for the regimented chorus, who wear slick and stylized medieval costumes, from designer Christian Gasc, that clash with the lovers’ clothes and the ancient castle setting.

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Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet,” in French, with English subtitles, will be presented on “Great Performances” on KCET tonight at 9.