Bellini couldn't set pen to music paper without creating wondrous melodies, and I Capuleti e i Montecchi is full of them. His take on the Romeo and Juliet story focuses on the lovers, whose extended Act I scene is challenged only by the moving Tomb Scene as an example of bel canto's marriage of glorious vocalism with depth of feeling. Jennifer Larmore and Hei-Kyung Hong make an excellent pair of star-crossed lovers. Larmore's Romeo is gripping, while Hong sings with marvelous beauty of tone and dramatic feeling. Paul Groves is an impressive Tebaldo, and Robert Lloyd a moving Friar. After a Gilbert-and-Sullivanish overture, Donald Runnicles conducts well. You can't go wrong with this fine Capuleti, though my heart still belongs to its chief competitor currently on disc, the 1998 version on RCA Victor. There, Vesselina Kasarova's remarkable voice and passionate portrayal of Romeo, Eva Mei's Giulietta (even more poignant than Hong's), and conductor Roberto Abbado's command of Bellini's distinctive style together tip the scales.