Roméo et Juliette (Romeo and Juliet) is an opera in five acts by Charles Gounod, based on The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Gounod directly adapted his lyrical opera from Shakespeare's play. The opera is preceded by a warlike overture which illustrates the rivalry between the two families (I Capuletti e Montecchi. Italian arranger Andrea Mastroeni transcribed the overture - without chorus - for Symphonic Band.