These Bohemians will have you in rhapsodies
WHO can resist Puccini’s most romantic creation when it is performed like this, by a talented, youngish cast under the baton of one of the great opera conductors?
This new production promises to be with us for decades to come.
All six Bohemians sing beautifully, but most eyes and ears will be focused on the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimi, whose tragic love affair is at the centre of the plot.
American tenor Michael Fabiano and Australian soprano Nicole Car have just the right sort of voices; he could perhaps sing softly more often, and she showed some nerves on the first night, but their arias and duets are glorious.
Romanian-born British soprano Simona Mihai, who will later take over the role of Mimi, is a flighty Musetta and Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien is a sympathetic Marcello, whose Act 3 duet with Car is a highlight.
French baritone Florian Sempey and Italian bass Luca Tittoto complete a likeable sextet, with Jeremy White and Wyn Pencarreg in comic roles.
Richard Jones has gone for a period production, thank goodness, and it has many of his hallmark comedic touches.
He should, however, rethink the indecent gestures in Act 1 and obscene graffiti in Act 4 which bring the locker room into the opera house.
The garret created by Stewart
Laing for Acts 1 and 4 is so cramped that you do wonder how Rodolfo and Mimi ever got it together, without the bed prescribed by the librettists.
In Act 1 the poet hopefully spreads a blanket and pillow on the floor and that is where Mimi dies in Act 4, leaning against a cushion.
Laing redeems himself with a spectacular Act 2 set and an atmospheric one for Act 3.
Antonio Pappano conducts the score superlatively, with Puccini’s style at his fingertips, and is well served by his orchestra and chorus.
The production will be live in cinemas on Tuesday and Radio 3 will broadcast a recording on October 7.