Sydney review- La Boheme: There is much to love about Opera Australia’s latest offering

By Paul Kiely  

La Boheme

By Giacomo Puccini

Directed by Dean Bryant

Conductor Simon Bruckard

An Opera Australia Production

Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

Church Street, Parramatta

Season: 12 July – 3 September 2024 - Various Locations   

Bookings: https://riversideparramatta.com.au Duration: 160 minutes (includes interval)

This captivating production of Puccini’s popular classic leaves an enduring memory for the rusted-on opera fanatic and the novice first-time visitor alike.

For this is a ‘roadshow’ version. A touring production with an outstanding cast and with creative qualities second to none.

Opera Australia is taking its product to the people. An eight-week extensive circuit of the east-coast with twenty venues and twenty-three performances. From Dandenong to Burnie, Warrnambool to Armidale, to name a few.

The intensity of this schedule creates a certain ’buzz’ that is not always present in a static location production. You see it in the eyes of the performers; you hear it in the tightness of the orchestrations; and you feel it in the romanticism of the music.

As hinted in the title, La Boheme refers to four young bohemians seeking fulfilment of their artistic pursuits in the Latin quarter of Paris. There is the poet Rodolfo (Nick Kirkup), the painter Marcello (Andrew Williams), the musician Schounard (Michael Lampard) and the philosopher (Eddie Muliaumaseali’i).

“I am a poet; she is the poem”. With these eight words, Rodolfo embarks on a love affair with neighbour Mimi (Maia Andrews), a seamstress. Soon their struggling existence and cold environment send Mimi on a downward spiral of illness. Rodolfo, poverty stricken, is unable to provide the care she needs and tries ‘tough love’ to push her away.

Meanwhile, a turbulent affair between Marcello and Musetta (Jane Magao), a singer, boils along in the background.

The other bohemians try to sell whatever meagre possessions they have to help care for Mimi. Through this time, Rodolfo cannot suppress his love for her despite the inevitable sadness that comes.

Puccini is a master of the heartstrings. This love story is told through the rise and fall of the melodies and the power of the operatic voices. Without understanding a word – the joy, the passion, the loss and the tragedy – are conveyed to the mesmerised audience.

Of course, surtitles are available for the non-Italians amongst us.

Director Dean Bryant puts his own unmistakable mark on this production of La Boheme. Instead of Puccini’s 1890’s, the setting is 1970’s Paris, where a resurgence of artistic free-love lifestyles flourished. The modernisation works perfectly, allowing the set to be simplified for easy transportation and costumes to include flared pants and mismatched colours.

This travelling version of La Boheme to the regions includes fabulous community engagement. Full marks to Opera Australia for including localised regional children’s chorus’ at each town. The excitement on the faces of these interested artistic children was uplifting to see.

If you are new to the world of Opera, La Boheme is a great entrée. It is popular, melodic and emotional. Be quick to book, there are limited venues remaining on this tour.

Thank you, Opera Australia!