Jul. 24, 2006

The National Symphony Orchestra and Wolf Trap Opera Company combined for a lovely concert performance of Charles Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette" Saturday evening at Wolf Trap. The libretto, drawn largely from Shakespeare's tragedy, is combined with gorgeous flowing arias and ensembles, and colorful musical accompaniment makes the French composer's 1867 work an infectiously attractive opera. It may occasionally slip into over-the-top sentimentality, but summer is a time for a bit of indulgence.