La Boheme to Start the Year

Come January 2010, Singapore Lyric Opera (SLO) starts off its year with a brand new production of Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme at theEsplanade Theatre from 29, 30 Jan, 1,2,3 Feb 2010.

 

The 4th opera of Puccini, La Boheme was premiered in Turin on 1st Feb 1896, remains his most popular and stands as probably the most popular Italian opera of all time, owing to its gorgeous melodies and the love story.

Based on the novel Scenes from the Bohemian Life by Henri Murger, La Boheme tells of a quartet of artists living in a run-down apartment in Paris. One of whom is Rodolfo who falls in love with a neighbour, Mimi. The love story traces the passionate love affair of Mimi and Rodolfo, the breakup of their relationship and the short-lived reconciliation before Mimi’s tragic death.

 

Originally set circa 1830 in the Latin quarter of Paris, the SLO’s brand new production will be set in 1930s.

 

“Having directed this opera a number of times in various settings from 1830 to the late nineteenth century, I thought it might be an interesting idea to set it in another period in Parisian history when the country was economically depressed and the future uncertain. In the 1930s France had lurched from one chaotic government to another in a short time. Life was unstable economically as it was politically. War clouds on the horizon and there were even some who believed a German occupation might not be a bad thing following a period of such political instability. Despite this, Paris remained a melting pot for artists and writers and their hopes and ideals. People were determined to enjoy themselves and the cafés, theatres and restaurants were full to overflowing.

Beneath this superficial gaiety, life was different.” Andrew Sinclair, director for SLO’s production in 2010, is a resident director of the Royal Opera House, London, UK.

 

Dubbed by New York Times as the “world’s most popular opera” many have come to distinguished La Boheme as the culmination of Puccini’s

compositional maturity.

 

Alfredo Colombani a critic who attended La Boheme’s premiere in 1896 said “The improvement in workmanship is mot noticeable. The melodic material displays the same origin, but here one finds it purified, made noble. Violence and brutality are diminished, perorations and bombastic phrases are less frequent, the search for effects is better camouflaged, and the music flows, swift and agile, now sprightly, now

anguished”.

 

The nimble musical movement reflective of the lives of the protagonists will awe spectators as it moves from revelry and romance creating a tension with its tragic conclusion. La Boheme features some of the most loved arias in the operatic repertoire such as “Che gelida manina” "Si, mi chiamano Mimi" and "Quando me'n vo soletta per la via".

 

Experience a night shrouded in magnificent music as it unfolds an equally outstanding

tale, with Singapore Lyric Opera’s La Boheme.

 

"I put all my soul into Bohème, and I love it boundlessly. I love its

creatures more than I can say" ... Giacomo Puccini

 

"La Bohème is the opera I love most. It's probably the first opera I listened to in its entirety when I was a child. It's a very real and contemporary story. Rodolfo and Mimì are very much human - they are not symbols or heroes - they are simple people: they love, they work and they fight. Like most of us do. Undoubtedly, Puccini's music is 'la musica dei sentimenti', the music of feelings, passion and tears" ... Andrea Bocelli

 

Date : 29, 30 Jan; 1, 2, 3 February 2010

Time : 8pm (180mins with 2 intermissions)

Ticket Prices : $15, $25, $38, $48, $58,$68, $88, $110, $130

Tickets from : SISTIC Website www.sistic.com.sg

SISTIC Hotline (65) 6348 5555

SISTIC Authorised Agents

Tickets available beginning 20 October 2009

 

Discount Schemes:

20% discount for Corporate & Group bookings for a minimum purchase of 20 tickets (available at SLO Office only)

15% discount for Internet bookings at SISTIC website (no minimum purchase; ends 29 Nov ’09); SLO Friends; Kinokuniya Privilege card; PAssion card; OCBC Platinum, Arts Platinum & Titanium mastercards; NTUC Union card; Full-time students with student pass; Full-time NSmen; Senior Citizens (55 yrs and above)

10% discount to all other OCBC credit cards

Get half price tickets to this show! Brought to you by Keppel Nights.

Visit www.keppelnights.com for more information.

Applicable to $48 price category on 30 Jan performance only. Other conditions apply.

Schools may use the Tote Board Arts Grant to subsidise up to 60% of ticket price