Puccini’s celebrated opera tells the story of four penniless bohemians into whose lives love, jealously and death make a sudden appearance. Tenor Vittorio Grigolo inhabited the role of a young and passionate poet and playwright, with dashing looks to boot. Kristine Opolais replaced Anita Hartig as Mimi, Rodolfo’s sickly love interest. Opolais stepped in as a last minute replacement, after singing the title role of Madama Butterfly for the first time at the Met the previous evening, becoming the first singer in the Met’s 131 years to debut in two major roles within 24 hours. Her stage presence and the chemistry she shared with the rest of the cast were incredible, making it difficult to believe that she’d never worked with them before.
The other three bohemians were all excellent: Massimo Cavalletti as Marcello and Patrick Carfizzi as Schaunard highlighted the wit and friendly banter of the group, particularly in the opening scene. Oren Gradus made his house debut as Colline with an elegantly sung “Vecchia zimarra, senti” when, in Act IV, he decides to sell his overcoat to aid the dying Mimì. Alongside them, Susanna Phillips gave an invigorating performance as Musetta, Marcello’s flirtatious love interest.
La Boheme is famous for its lavish sets and vast numbers of extras onstage, which are not only a hit with the audience but look incredible on the big screen. Franco Zeffirelli’s extravagant set for Act II features over 200 supernumeraries and choristers, the majority of the cast and even a horse-drawn carriage. Most of the cast are swallowed by commotion, but Phillips maintained a magnetic presence throughout the chaotic act, fully coming into her own during the famous “Quando M’en Vo.”
All in all, the production was a success and was only made more spectacular and emotive through the last minute cast change. The visual impact worked both on stage and on screen and, although sometimes excessive, it never failed to be breathtaking. Above all, the cast’s chemistry was so convincing that by Grigolo’s final cries of “Mimi” it was difficult not to shed a tear.
Anastasia Kennedy