DIANA ALEXE AND GEORGE VÎRBAN RECEIVE A 20-MINUTE STANDING OVATION IN ROMÉO ET JULIETTE

A spectacular 20-minute standing ovation and rhythmic, sustained applause celebrated soprano Diana Alexe and tenor George Vîrban following their performances as Juliette and Roméo in Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette at Opera Națională Română Cluj-Napoca.

The new production, signed by renowned French directorArnaud Bernard, offered Gounod’s timeless love story a fresh theatrical perspective, creating the setting for an emotionally charged evening that culminated in an extraordinary response from the Cluj-Napoca audience.

As Juliette, Diana Alexe captivated the audience with her velvet voice and deeply expressive interpretation,while George Vîrban brought to life a passionate and compelling Roméo.

The chemistry between the two protagonists became the focus of the evening, allowing the music to unfold with both intimacy and overwhelming emotional force.

With Arnaud Bernard’s new staging and two compelling young protagonists at its centre, Roméo et Juliette at Opera Națională Română Cluj-Napoca has offered audiences a passionate and memorable interpretation of Gounod’s masterpiece — one that was met with an unmistakable verdict from the audience: 20 minutes of standing ovation and thunderous rhythmic applause.

During the 2026/27 season, Alexe and Vîrban will make important roles debut. The soprano will debut Mimì in La Bohème, Adina in L’Elisir d’amore and the title role ofMaria Stuarda, while the tenor will add to his repertoire Tamino in Die Zauberflöte and Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.