La Boheme

La Boheme is indestructible. No matter how many times it is updated or reimagined Puccini’s power to move an audience with his musical brilliance is still overwhelming. Opera Q’s production is a classic example. Reset on Christmas Eve 1913, this collection of impecunious Parisian Bohemians thrills us all over again. The story of poet Rodolfo and his love for the consumptive Mimi, an artificial flower-maker, has enough poignancy and passion to fill any soap opera, and with two of grand opera’s most acclaimed arias, “Che gelida manina”, “Mi Chiamano Mimi”, and the duet“O Soave fanciulla”, following one another in act one, La Boheme just might be the perfect opera.

Director Craig Ilott, starting with a bare stage, instantly fills it with bustle, quickly establishing the milieu and period, helped by David Walters’ mood appropriate lighting and Penny Challen’s striking set and costume design which included digital backdrops reminiscent of paintings by Gustav Caillebotte. Act three’s snowfall was magical.

The production has been double cast, and Lindy Hume, Opera Q’s Artistic Director, delivering on her promise to bring opera to regional Queensland, is doing just that with the production touring to major regional centres where the principal cast/s will be augmented by a local chorus. Korean soprano Hyeseoung Kwon did not disappoint as Mimi bringing warmth to the character and ultimately pathos in her climatic moments, whilst Emily Burke, a popular favourite with Opera Q audiences, was a spirited and vivacious Musetta. Bradley Daley’s Rodolfo had bravado and sincerity, as did Shaun Booth’s Marcello. A highlight was their act one duet. Andrew Collis, always impressive, was in fine form as Colline.

Although it was smaller, Richard Gill’s intelligent rearrangement for an orchestra of thirteen lost none of the original’s power, and was played with fervor by musicians from the Queensland Symphony Orchestra under Guy Noble’s baton. The Opera Queensland Chorus not only added numbers to the Latin Quarter and Café Momus scenes, but also a pleasing tonal color.

Peter Pinne                   

Regional Queensland Tour:

Arts Centre, Gold Coast, 9 Aug

Ipswich Civic Centre, 12 Aug

Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, 15 Aug

Brolga Theatre & Convention Centre, Fraser Coast, 20 Aug

Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton, 23 Aug

Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, 27 Aug

Townsville Civic Centre, 30 Aug

Mt Isa Civic Centre, 4 Sept

Photogrpaher: Stephanie Do Rozario.