Arguably the most popular of all operas, La Bohème is much more than just another tragic love story. It is a timeless celebration of youthful rites of passage, the proletarian struggle against poverty and the artist's quest for integrity.
General Director of The NBR New Zealand Opera, Aidan Lang says "In Puccini's tour de force, audiences get the whole package - the tortured relationships, the resonant characters made famous by the likes of Melba and Caruso, Gheorghiu and Pavarotti, and the famous arias.
"La Bohème is a great romantic opera, one any young person or anyone who remembers being youthful will identify with - it has a universality about it," he says. "And we've lined up a vibrant cast and creative team to present it in a fresh and stylish way."
Making his New Zealand debut is dynamic Australian director Patrick Nolan, noted for his work in film, theatre and opera. Conducting the opera is Frenchman Emmanuel Joel-Hornak, who last made his mark here with Faust in 2006. Alongside them is exciting young Australian set designer Ralph Myers and New Zealand's esteemed costume designer Elizabeth Whiting.
New Zealand audiences get their first taste of Opera Australia's magnificent star Antoinette Halloran as Mimì. Fellow Australian, Tiffany Speight, returns to play Musetta after her acclaimed role in 2006's The Magic Flute. In the roles of Rodolfo and Marcello are two new glamour boys on the international opera circuit - tenor Jesus Garcia (Rodolfo) who starred on Broadway in Baz Luhrmann's La Bohème, and Polish baritone Marcin Bronikowski as Marcello. New Zealander Robert Tucker, a recent graduate of the Australian Opera Studio plays Schaunard, and The NBR New Zealand Opera's 2007-2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers Dame Malvina Major Young Artist Wade Kernot plays Colline.
The Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus, Vector Wellington Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra complete the line-up. The Winter Season of Puccini's La Bohème opens in Wellington on Saturday 10 May and opens in Auckland on Thursday 29 May. -- www.nzopera.com
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