"Bohème” love story impresses sold out crowd

The bleak Paris winter fades to the background as a small band of Bohemians create, celebrate, squabble and reconcile, bringing warmth to the bitter nights for brief moments.

Cincinnati Opera’s production of Puccini’s “La Bohème” played to a completely sold out house on Friday at Music Hall. 

The co-production with the English National Opera moved the time period of the opera forward by a century, setting it in the early 1930’s.  This change played out in the set and costumes.  The backdrop consisted of bleak black-and-white street scenes, the foreground done in drab colors; costumes were equally understated and in the same color palate.

These contributed to a cinematic feel—along with staging, this created a distance and disconnect with the audience.

If the visual elements were icy, the music was fire.  Stephen Costello and Ailyn Pérez artfully played the central couple, Rodolfo and Mimi, respectively.  Newlyweds in real life, the chemistry carried over onto the stage in the Cincinnati premier for the pair.

Tenor Costello was stellar as poet Rodolfo, able to flirt and joke but also love and mourn, all equally convincing.

Pérez’s dying seamstress was made more tragic with her effortlessly rich tone, underlining the sweetness of her character.

Painter Marcello, played by Marco Caria, was an empathetic friend and exasperated lover.  Georgia Jarman as Musetta, the object of Marcello’s affection, was less than subtlety sexy.  The flexible soprano stole the spotlight in her famous Act II waltz, alighting on the knees of many males on stage, singing of her own charms.

The Cincinnati Orchestra, led by John Keenan, performed the memorable melodies with unsurpassed poignancy.  Overall, it was a magical close to the 90^th Anniversary season.

Prior to the performance, next summer’s season was announced.  It features a broad spectrum: Verdi’s beloved “Rigoletto,” American composer John Adam’s new Indian inspired “A Flowering Tree,” Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” and finishes with Mozart’s playful “The Magic Flute.” 

Can’t wait that long? Be sure to check out the upcoming season at the College-Conservatory of Music; most performances are free and others a deeply discounted for students.  The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is also planning a stellar season and offers student tickets.  See ccm.uc.edu and cincinnatisymphony.org for details.