Director Tomer Zvulun and Conductor Dean Williamson lead a vibrant cast, including Melody Moore (Mimi), Mark Panuccio (Rodolfo), Laura Pedersen (Musetta), Michael Todd Simpson (Marcello), Kristopher Irmiter (Schaunard), Derrick Parker (Colline) and Jason Budd (Benoit/Alcindoro).
La bohème takes us to an artists' garret, where writer Rodolfo falls for the gentle but ill Mimì. Their meeting culminates in two of opera's greatest arias ("Che gelida manina" and "Mi chiamano Mimì") and the blissful duet "O soave fanciulla." The intimacy of the garret transforms into a large café, which fills with a colorful crowd including jugglers, a stilt-walker and chorus. This is where we meet the coquettish Musetta and painter Marcello, whose tempestuous relationship parallels Rodolfo and Mimì's troubled romance throughout the opera. From the lively antics in the café to the poignancy of a bittersweet reunion, La bohème both dazzles our senses and grips our emotions.
Performances on Friday and Saturday begin at 8 p.m. with the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Performances will last approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes, which includes two 20-minute intermissions. All ticket-holders are welcome to attend the pre-opera lecture one hour prior to the curtain. -- www.operacleveland.org
