Timeless story
By Casey Gillis on Apr. 10, 2008
(434) 385-5525
Craig Fields says the story of Puccini’s “La Boheme” grabs people immediately.
“It really gets you right here,” says the artistic director of Opera on the James, pointing to his heart. “Even in rehearsals, I start tearing up. It’s really touching.”
Opera on the James’ production of the classic is scheduled for two performances, 7:30 p.m. April 18 and 3 p.m. April 20, at the Academy of Fine Arts’ Warehouse Theatre.
The opera - on which the Broadway hit “Rent” was based - centers on a group of Bohemians living in Paris in the 1840s.
“It follows all of their trials and tribulations,” Fields says. “Two of them fall in love, and this sweet young girl gets tuberculosis and dies.”
The couple, Mimi (Rachel Cobb) and Rodolfo (Daniel Holmes), have a contentious relationship.
“He’s jealous, and he’s kind of a hothead,” Fields says.
But there’s more to his anger. Later in the story, Rodolfo reveals that he pushes Mimi away because he doesn’t want to watch her die.
Opera America lists “La Boheme” as the second most-performed opera in the world - likely because of its universality, Fields says.
“It’s a story that could take place at any time, and I think that’s why it has remained so popular,” he says.
Plus, “it has some of Puccini’s greatest music that everyone, whether they (realize) it or not, knows.”
Fields says he’s enjoyed putting this production together because of its dramatic elements.
“Puccini, more than many of the other great composers of the past, was a dramatist,” he says. “He went to the theater all the time, and he wanted authenticity (in his productions).”
Because their performance space is smaller than a standard opera hall, Fields works hard with the cast to make their actions believable and realistic.
In bigger concert halls, “you felt like you had to make large gestures to be seen and to match the music,” he says. “Now the style has changed.
“The casting is now turning toward people who look the role and who are good actors and singers. Most of the young American singers of today have a lot of training in acting.”
A good example, he says, is cast member Penny Shumate, who plays Mimi’s friend Musetta.
“Musetta is out there. She’s a performer, a singer, a dancer,” he says, adding that Shumate isn’t shy about climbing all over the set to capture her character’s spirit.
“She’s a wild woman.”
The production will also feature the voices of the Lynchburg Singers and Cantate, the Children’s Youth Choir in Residence at Lynchburg College.
And, for the first time, Opera on the James has partnered up with the Maier Museum of Art to offer a family program related to “La Boheme.”
The program - scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. this Sunday - was inspired by the museum’s current exhibit, “The Art of Fashion: 16-20th Century Women’s Clothing.” It includes prints of women’s fashions in Paris during the 1830s and 1840s.
The program includes a short tour of the exhibition and can do a variety of hands-on art activities typical to the time period.
IF YOU’RE GOING:
WHAT: La Boheme
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 18 and 3 p.m. April 20
WHERE: Academy of Fine Arts’ Warehouse Theatre, corner of Fifth and Commerce streets
TICKETS: $10 for students, $25 general admission, $45 reserved seating and $75 premium seating and a meet the cast reception.
INFO: (434) 528-3397 or http://www.operaonthejames.org
IF YOU’RE GOING:
WHAT: Family Program at the Maier Museum
WHEN: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Maier Museum, 1 Quinlan St.
TICKETS: $4 for museum members and $5 for general admission. Those who attend will receive a voucher for $5 off the purchase of a “La Boheme” ticket. Those who have already bought a ticket to the opera can present it for free admission to the family program.
INFO: (434) 947-8136
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