In La Bohème Mimi sacrifices her health in order to pursue love to its fullest with the poet Rodolfo. Stewart Laing’s 2004 production, revived for Scottish Opera’s current tour, some sacrifices of meaning are made to transpose Puccini’s story of the Bohemian lifestyle from 19th century Paris to modern New York.  Lobbing paper at computer screens does not count as sacrificing one’s work by burning it in a desperate attempt to keep warm, and lack of supertitles at some points might be an attempt to hide such opposition of text and presentation. However the modernising concept improves after the initial dodgy fire scene.

Modern references such as Sex and the City, setting the café scene as an art gallery, and Musetta’s designer shoes worked well, while some characterisations and humorous physicality assisted the performers when their vocals were being sacrificed.  This was the main problem – singers being overwhelmed by the music’s volume.  Mimi (Celine Byrne) and Musetta (Nadine Livingston) transcended this, as did Colline (Christian Sist) for the most part. Byrne’s performance increased in sensitivity till her emotional end, and Livingston worked her assets well, also showing great evocative power for Mimi’s dying scene.  Sist’s final piece moved, and Julian Hubbard as Schaunard added colour and pure tone when he could be heard. Benjamin Bevan’s characterisation of Marcello saved his performance, a little dull vocally and often drowned out. Nothing saved Avi Klemberg’s uncharismatic and mostly unheard Rodolfo.

This might have been a strong production, if only the music had been released with an ease that matched the libretto translation and supported the artistes, allowing them to soar on the sounds rather than battle to be heard, let alone appreciated.

Note: Conductor Francesco Corti was replaced by Derek Clark due to the travel disruptions across Europe.

INFO

http://www.scottishopera.org.uk/our-operas/09-10/la-boheme

Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT
Thu 22 Apr 7.15pm•Sat 24 Apr 7.15pm

Free events

La bohème Unwrapped Mon 19 Apr 6.00pm

La bohème Touch Tour Sat 24 Apr 6.00pm

La bohème Audio-described performance Sat 24 Apr 6.00pm

La bohème Pre-show talk Sat 24 Apr 6.00pm

His Majesty’s Theatre, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GL
Thu 29 Apr 7.30pm•Sat 1 May 7.30pm

Free events

La bohème Unwrapped Fri 30 Apr 6.00pm

La bohème Touch Tour Sat 1 May 6.00pm

La bohème Audio-described performance Sat 1 May 6.00pm

La bohème Pre-show talk Sat 1 May 6.00pm

Eden Court, Bishops Road, Inverness IV3 5SA
Thu 6 May 7.15pm•Sat 8 May 7.15pm

Free events

La bohème Unwrapped Fri 7 May 6.00pm

La bohème Touch Tour Sat 8 May 6.00pm

La bohème Audio-described performanceSat 8 May 6.00pm

La bohème Pre-show talk Sat 8 May 6.00pm

Grand Opera House, Great Victoria Street Belfast BT2 7HR
Thu 10 Jun 7.15pm•Sat 12 Jun 7.15pm

Free events

La bohème Unwrapped Fri 11 Jun 6.00pm

La bohème Pre-show talk Sat 12 Jun 6.00pm

Grand Canal Theatre, Grand Canal Square Docklands Dublin 2
Wed 16 Jun 7.30pm•Fri 18 Jun 7.30pm•Sat 19 Jun 7.30pm