Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

The message of the power of love over hate filled the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as LA Opera presented Charles Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet." The Capulets versus the rival Montagues.

Gounod's romantic score captures Shakespeare's story of two star-crossed lovers from different sides of the track who are willing to sacrifice everything to be together.

Gounod premiered this opera at the Theatre Lyrique in Paris in 1867 and it continues to be one his greatest compositions with its juxtaposition of love and tragedy between two lovers.

Conductor Domingo Hindoyan masterfully delivered what Gounod intended it to be. Music filled with passion.

In their LA Opera debut, soprano Amina Edris (Juliet) and tenor Duke Kim (Romeo) deliver riveting performances which encapsulated what Shakespeare wanted his characters to be. Edris' voice brilliantly radiating warmth as her character moves from joy to sorrow. She had great chemistry with Kim whose strong voice resonated throughout the opera hall. Both singers also tackling the music with passion. Casting these two brought a sense of realness to this production as both are young and filled with energy and masters at projecting hopeless devotion.

The supporting cast was also extremely capable. Justin Austin (Mercutio), Craig Colclough (Lord Capulet), and Wei Wu (Friar Laurent) took the production to a more serious and mature place. Yuntong Han (Tybalt), debuting this role, is impressive and Margaret Gawrysiak (Gertrude) inserts much-needed levity to this tale.

Kudos also goes out to fight director Andrew Kenneth Moss and his skillful choreography.

Scenic designer John Gunter created a setting that depicted a feeling of modernization, a twist from the usual Verona. And costume designer Tim Goodchild hits it out of the park, especially with Juliet's gorgeous white gown.

This interpretation of Romeo and Juliet is successful in showing the bittersweet relationship that Gounod created while carrying the torch for Shakespeare.

Audiences will eternally enjoy this timeless story.