Review: Eternal Love Story, LA BOHÈME Returns To Sydney Opera House

Wednesday 6th January 2016, 7:30pm, Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House.

Director Gale Edwards' interpretation of Giacomo Puccini's LA BOHÈME returns for Opera Australia's 2016 Summer Season. Reinvented and transported from Bohemian 1840's Paris to the inter-war 1930's Weimar Republic Berlin, the tragic love story that has gone on to inspire contemporary works proves a consistent audience favorite.

Costume designer Julie Lynch holds the key to most of the era shift with three piece suits presented with a sartorial elegance regardless of the wearer's poverty, simple wool dresses, and Musetta's post war extravagant coat and dress. The location of Weimar Republic Berlin is really only defined by the scantily clad dancers lining the balconies of the hedonistic Cafè Momus drawing reference to the Kabarett clubs and the placing of Act III in a Military run Customs Station designed by Set Designer Brian Thomson.

For 2016, Yosep Kang takes over the role of the Poet Rodolfo with Diego Torre returning for two performances in late January and Ji-Min Park taking over for the March run. Kang gives Rodolfo a sensitivity and shows strength in solo and duet pieces. Rodolfo's sensitivity is contrasted by the painter Marcello's brash and somewhat cynical demeanor, presented by Andrew Jones as he returns to fill the role with power and passion. Similarly, Shane Lowrencev reprises his role as the flamboyant musician Schaunard, giving him more flair and campiness whilst expressing a care and compassion as he sits by the ailing Mimì's bedside. Richard Anderson takes on the role of quiet philosopher Colline, presenting a gentle farewell to his coat that he plans to sell to help save Mimì despite it being winter. Clifford Plumpton filled the role of landlord Benoit for the performance reviewed, giving the outsider a delightful physicality and adding an element of comedy to the ensemble.

With bold, commanding presence and vocals, Lorina Gore returns as the hot headed singer Musetta ensuring the passionate chemistry between the singer and the painter is retained. Musetta's excess and flash is contrasted with Mimì's simplicity and innocence, presented by Natalie Aroyan for the January season with Maija Kovalevska scheduled to return for the March season. Aroyan's pure vocals ensures that Mimì retains the innocence of the seamstress that finds joy in making fake flowers and still loves Rodolfo despite their falling out.

Whilst the resetting of Act III in an oddly exposed Customs Station seems a little out of place this production ensures that LA BOHÈME remains accessible to audiences with a simple storyline that can be understood without much reference to the surtitles provided and without the violence of other bloodthirsty operas. Puccini's score is beautifully interpreted by the orchestra under the baton of Carlo Montanaro, ensuring the sound captures the textured images of snow falling, fading furnaces and passionate love.

LA BOHÈME is a poignant but simple love story and is a wonderful introduction to Opera for first timers whilst also satisfying seasoned opera fans.

LA BOHÈME

Opera Australia

Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

December 31 2015, January 2, 6, 8, 13, 16, 22, 25, 30 (matinée), March 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23 2016

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