Indianapolis Opera's 2003 production of La Boheme
If I could, I would perform La Bohème every year! It is quintessential Puccini: great theater and music that brings the drama alive. I know some academics think it is unnecessarily maudlin, but I think it has all the elements of great drama.
If you are skeptical that the story and score are not timeless, realize that at one point in time, New York City simultaneously offered a Metropolitan Opera, a New York City Opera and a Broadway rendition of Bohème, along with a production of “Rent,” the popular musical that is based on the same story.
Bohème is said to be one of most loved and most frequently performed operas in the world. It is also a good one for introducing non-opera goers to the art form. (I’m showing my age here, but remember the transformation that Cher experienced in the movie “Moonstruck” when Nicholas Cage took her to see Bohème?)
My theory about the popularity is that it is the perfectly created package. Puccini is prolific in the notes that he wrote on his score; he knew exactly the effects he wanted and left nothing to chance. A great story, excellent character development and music that support both—a complete package. The result is this great example of how opera can and should work.
Another reason is that it works on real time. By that I mean that the story advancement continues as the artists sing, no “just standing and singing.” And there are comic elements in the beginning that endear us to the characters. That makes the story more impactful when, in later acts, Puccini pulls the rug out from under the audience. Even though we have seen it before, we are so engaged in the story and the characters that we can disengage our memories.
On a personal note, I can’t overstate how pleased I am to be working again with soprano Maureen O’Flynn, who portrays Mimi. I was fortunate to work with Maureen on Faust for the Fresno Opera, and she is not only an internationally acclaimed (and recorded!) artist, but a delightful person. We are so fortunate to lure her to Indianapolis!
Enough of my opinion. Puccini fans out there, is Bohème your favorite, or another opera? I would be interested in your opinions!
Jim
Boheme has always been a great favotite of mine. I first saw it at the Met with Robert Merrill. I was a student and had bad seats so we sat on the steps until the ushers moved us away.
I agree that it is a great opera to take someone to that thinks they don’t like opera. I have created a number of converts to opera by taking them to Boheme. I am so glad you are doing it this season. Carol
La Boheme is wonderful, but my favorite Puccini is Tosca, despite the fact that the heroine dies in both of them (just a lot faster in Tosca). Did Puccini have it in for women?
Friday night’s performance of La Boheme was sublime. Kudos to all involved in this beautiful performance!