AH, BOHÈME!
Last Friday, Wolf Trap Opera Company, the summer residency program for emerging opera professionals hosted at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, offered a lovely production of Giacomo Puccini’s 1896 opera La Bohème, which poignantly depicts the struggles and joys of young bohemians trying to pursue their dreams while facing harsh realities within Paris’s Latin Quarter during the reign of King Louis Philippe (1830-1848).
Amanda Batista as Mimi in Wolf Trap Opera’s La Bohème
The opera’s four-act libretto, written by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, is based on Henri Murger’s 1851 collection of short stories, Scènes de la vie de bohème. Puccini’s ability to blend humor and tragedy with rich orchestration and memorable arias has made it a staple in the operatic canon. John Caird‘s atmospheric, straight-out-of-Dickens version — originally a co-production between Houston Grand Opera, Canadian Opera Company and San Francisco Opera — has been gracefully and appealingly revived by director Katherine M. Carter, herself a 2016 Wolf Trap alum. (Caird is best-known for directing that little musical which takes place in Paris 1815-32, Les Misérables.)
Adam Partridge, Midori Marsh, Blake Denson
Leading the National Symphony Orchestra from the pit, Grant Gershon — artistic director of Los Angeles Master Chorale, formerly Resident Conductor of LA Opera — guided the masterwork competently with balance and proportion, allowing the alternatingly dark and light score and its ornamental flourishes to shine.
The young performers of Wolf Trap Opera, who have been selected after a rigorous audition process, have been given the opportunity to perform in this fully staged production. The musical execution is completely outstanding and it’s wonderful to have an appropriately youthful cast. Exploring themes of love, poverty, and the fleeting nature of happiness, Puccini takes care of the rest.
Eric Taylor as Rodolfo and Amanda Batista as Mimi
The opera begins in a garret in Paris, where two struggling artists, the poet Rodolfo (Eric Taylor) and the painter Marcello (Blake Denson) are trying to keep warm by burning Rodolfo’s manuscript. They are soon joined by their friends, the musician Schaunard (Laureano Quant) and the philosopher Colline (Le Bu), who bring some food and wine. The landlord Benoît (Adam Partridge) arrives to collect the rent, but the friends get him drunk, and eventually kick him out without the the rent. Rodolfo and Marcello’s bohemian enclave is rendered in soft blues and russets (lights by Michael James Clark), cluttered with impressionist paintings and guttering candles (production design by David Farley). The comedic timing of these operatic actors is wonderful.
Le Bu, Eric Taylor, Blake Denson, Adam Partridge, Laureano Quant
Rodolfo stays behind to finish some work when neighbor Mimi (Amanda Batista), whose candle has gone out, arrives. In “Che gelida manina” (“What a frozen little hand”) Rodolfo tells Mimi of his life as a poet. Mimi responds with her own aria, “Si. Mi chiamano Mimi” describing her simple life as an embroiderer. They express their newfound love for each other in the romantic duet “O soave fanciulla”. The chemistry between Taylor and Batista was palpable, their duets brimming with a mix of romantic longing and tragic inevitability (Mimi has tuberculosis).
All principal cast members
The snowy, holiday city streets of nighttime Paris give us all the usual: bustling crowds, rustic houses, cherubic children, paper lanterns, and a strikingly lush-voiced chorus, joined by Wolf Trap Opera Studio Artists (chorus master Nate Raskin, assisted by Ye In Kwak). Clustered together with shining faces, and tamped down by drab woolens (costumes also by Farley), it’s Christmas Eve in Paris and street vendors call out their wares as the scene opens at the Café Momus. The Children’s Chorus of Washington gathered around the toy vendor Parpignol, calling out his name with excitement, “Ecco i giocattoli di Parpignol!” (One could sense several proud parents in the audience perking up during this.)
Jerek Fernández as Parpignol and Ensemble
Laureano Quant, Le Bu, Eric Taylor, Amanda Batista, Blake Denson
Rodolfo introduces Mimi to his friends at the Café Momus. Marcello’s former lover Musetta (Midori Marsh) arrives with her wealthy admirer, Alcindoro (Adam Partridge). She attempts to make Marcello jealous by singing the lively aria “Quando me’n vo’.” Providing more comic relief, Marsh’s rendition of “Quando me’n vo'” was saucy and her coquettish charm and vocal agility was a highlight. Blake Denson’s baritone was rich and resonant, adding layers to Marcello’s character, especially in the heated exchanges with Musetta. Eventually, Musetta and Marcello reconcile, and the the group of friends leave the café, leaving Alcindoro to pay the bill.
Midori Marsh as Musetta and Blake Denson as Marchello
The third act takes place at a toll gate on the outskirts of Paris. Mimi seeks out Marcello, who is now living with Musetta, to confide her concerns about Rodolfo’s jealousy and their troubled relationship. Rodolfo appears and, unaware that Mimi is listening, tells Marcello that he fears for Mimi’s health, which he believes is deteriorating because of their poverty. Mimi confronts Rodolfo, and while they express their love for each other, they agree to part ways in the spring with “Addio dolce svegliare alla mattina” after which Marcello and Musetta fight bitterly and breakup.
The CastIt’s springtime and the friends are back in the garret, joking about their poverty and past loves. Musetta suddenly arrives with news that Mimi is seriously ill and needs help. They bring Mimi to the garret, where her friends try to make her comfortable. Le Bu sings a touching farewell to his overcoat, which he plans to sell to help Mimi (“Vecchia zimarra”), and Musetta pawns her earrings for medicine. Despite their efforts, Mimi dies in Rodolfo’s arms, leaving him devastated.
Midori Marsh, Eric Taylor, Amanda Batista, Le Bu, Blake Denson, Laureano Quant
With the cast’s emotive singing and enthusiastic performances, this production (which sadly only ran one night) sparkled with wit and infectious joie de vivre. I can’t wait to see what Wolf Trap Opera Company does when it concludes its season with a production of Kevin Puts’ Silent Night, August 9-17.
photos by Scott Suchman
La Bohème
Wolf Trap Opera Company
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
1551 Trap Road in Vienna, Virginia
reviewed June 19, 2024
for future events, call 877.WOLFTRAP or visit Wolf Trap and Wolf Trap’s calendar
