On Feb. 19, 2019, I attended an incredible performance of Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme, staged by the Vancouver Opera (VO). I had attended two other Puccini operas performed by VO in the past, Madame Butterfly and Turandot, so naturally, I was very excited to see La Boheme for the first time! Puccini was an Italian opera composer of the late 19thcentury. No doubt influence by Giuseppi Verdi, his operas typically focused on love stories and tragedies, set to beautifully lyrical melodies. La Boheme is no exception. After an initial debut at Teatro Regio in Turin in 1896, it has captivated audience for over 100 years.
As the opera begins, there is the lack of an overture, as one would expect from a baroque or classical era opera. Instead the orchestra gives only a brief musical introduction that leads directly into singing. This captures the sentiment of Romantic era operas, where the voice seems to lead and is the main source of passion and emotion; the orchestra existing mainly as an accompaniment to the voice. As we enter 1830’s Paris, we are introduced to the artist Marcello and his friend Rodolfo, a poet. Despite near-destitution, the pair live happy and humble lives, frolicking with their other friends, a musician and a philosopher. While the four sing as an opera ensemble, much of their singing seems to consist entirely of what sounds like continuous recitative, perhaps a representation of how Romantic opera had evolved to consist of uninterrupted music rather than fragmented numbers. While arias are still used, this musical structure seemed to comprise most of the opera.
Just as the group is about to leave for dinner, they are interrupted by their neighbour Mimi who is overcome with illness. Rodolfo decides to stay behind to tend to Mimi, and in the dark, they fall in love. This love story becomes the central focus of the rest of the opera. Rodolfo introduces Mimi to his friends as they eat dinner in the Latin Quarter of Paris. The music from the orchestra is lively as to mirror the bustling crowds. It is here that Marcello runs into his former lover, Musetta, who tries to spark jealousy by performer the risqué “Quando m’en vo’,” more famously known as Musetta’s Waltz. It is a through-composed aria in triple meter, and the theme we hear becomes a recurring motif throughout the opera. However, the aria is swept away by the lively ongoings of the Latin Quarter. An energetic marching band appears onstage, accompanied by a parade of fanciful costumes and giant dolls to close the 2ndact.
However, the flourishing romance between Rodolfo and Mimi begins to diminish as the two get into a fight at the beginning of the 3rdact. She, upset by his jealously, and him, by his helplessness in curing her from her worsening illness, later lead the couple to end their relationship. The 3rdact is filled with incredibly moving, lyrical music that symbolizes the main essence of the Romantic era: music so passionate it can move the audience to tears. With Marcello and Musetta’s relationship also on the rocks, together with Mimi and Rodolfo, the quartet sings “Addio dolce svegliare alla mattina” symbolizing the end of their respective romances as they pray for brighter outcomes in the future. No such outcome arrives, as Mimi arrives at Rodolfo’s home in act 4 sicker than ever. While the Rodolfo’s friends rush to seek medicine and a muff for Mimi’s ice-cold hands, Rodolfo and Mimi sing the emotional duet “Sono andati,” where she professes her undying love for Rodolfo. Unfortunately, the medicine and garment arrive too late, and Mimi succumbs to her disease, thereby ending the opera. VO certainly uses some theatrical magic to represent the immortalization of Mimi as some eternal spirit. After the ensemble crowds around Mimi’s body, they disperse, revealing to a stunned audience that Mimi had disappeared.
Overall, VO’s La Boheme was an incredible musical experience. The use of continuous recitatives such by soloists and ensembles, coupled with powerful arias and a moving storyline in many ways summarized the essence of Romantic era Italian Opera. It is no wonder that La Boheme continues to be one of the most performed operas over 100 years following its debut. (2/5)