Opera Australia is delighted to welcome back to Arts Centre Melbourne this November, one of its most popular productions and one of the world’s all-time favourite operas, Puccini’s La Bohème.
The inspiration behind the musical Rent, Puccini’s classic continues to enchant audiences with its soaring music, lush sets, beautiful costumes and heady mix of comedy and tragedy.
Celebrated Italian maestro Pietro Rizzo makes his Melbourne debut, leading a world-class cast featuring Latvian soprano Maija Kovalevska who will bring her poignancy and grace to the role of Mimì that she has played to great acclaim in some of the world’s finest opera houses, including The Met in New York.
Alongside her will be acclaimed Korean tenor Yosep Kang in the role of the somewhat naïve Rodolfo, much loved Australian soprano Jane Ede as Musetta and Melbourne local, booming baritone Christopher Tonkin reprises his role of Marcello.
This glittering production set in the chaos of street fairs and burlesque bars of 1930’s Berlin, provides the perfect setting for the heart-wrenching love story, filled with the familiar arias of Puccini’s most famous opera.
Che Gelida Manina sung by Rodolfo to Mimi in the first act is famous for its high C, while Musetta’s Waltz is a standout and the soaring Si, mi chiamano Mimi… and O soave faniciulla will have your heart racing.
La Bohème is a must see; perfect for those wanting to experience opera for the first time and for aficionados, this is a chance to see why both Maija Kovalevska and Yosep Kang have received rave reviews around the world.
Conductor: Pietro Rizzo Director: Gale Edwards Featuring: Maija Kovalevska, Yosep Kang, Jane Ede, Christopher Tonkin, Christopher Hillier, Richard Anderson, Graeme Macfarlane, Adrian Tamburini, Clifford Plumpton, Anthony Mackey, Benjamin Rasheed, Opera Australia Chorus, Orchestra Victoria Revival Director: Hugh Halliday Set Designer: Brian Thomson Costume Designer: Julie Lynch Lighting Designer: John Rayment
La Bohème
State Theatre – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Season: 7 – 24 November 2018
Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: La Bohème – photo courtesy of Opera Australia