This is our review of Glyndebourne‘s version of La Bohème at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre. So, let’s take a look at La Bohème!
Synopsis Of La Bohème
This show tells the story of seamstress Mimi and struggling writer Rodolfo. Mimi and Rodolfo are drawn together but jealousy, poverty, and sickness threaten to draw them apart. Set in Paris, the city of love, La Bohème shows the inside of the couple’s relationship and the hardship that endures.
This production stars Bekhzod Davronov as Rodolfo, Gabriella Reyes as Mimi, Luthando Qave as Marcello, William Thomas as Colline, Luvuyo Mbundu as Schaunard, Darren Jeffery as Benoit/Alcindoro, Peter Van Hulle as Death/Parpingnol, Mariam Battistelli as Musetta, Andrew Davies as Customs Officer and John Mackenzie-Lavansch as Police Sergeant. Music is performed by the Glyndebourne Tour Orchestra and conducted by Rory Macdonald, with Floris Visser as director.
Analysis Of La Bohème
Glyndebourne is known for its stunning renditions of famous operas and tours across the UK, and this show is no exception. La Boheme took place at the Liverpool Empire Theatre on Saturday 26th November at the end of a three-show run of different operatic performances. So, each piece was performed for one night only with almost a full house in attendance. La Boheme was performed by a cast of wonderful singing talent, showcasing their musical expertise. The cast embodied their characters through their voices and perform their songs with grace. This is highlighted at the moment when Mimi and Rodolfo first meet, expressing their love for each other.
The orchestra supported the cast with incredible musical accompaniment. Audience members could simply close their eyes and feel the emotion of the scene from the music alone. The soundtrack was the highlight of the whole performance, showcasing some of the best work that opera has to offer. Though the vocals were impressive, the acting performances were not to the same high standard. For instance, there is a moment in the show where a character moves away from where they were sitting but the other actors perform as if they are still there.
During this scene, multiple actors proceeded to step where the character would have been sitting, which ruined part of the immersion and emotion of the scene. Aside from this, the performance as a whole was enjoyable and brought about an emotional response from the audience. There were moments of laughter and sadness, showing the ups and downs of the relationships between the characters.
Summary Of La Bohème
In closing, this performance of La Bohème is a classic opera production. Glyndebourne performs this classic love story by highlighting their musical talents and evoking emotions from their audiences. This show would be welcomed by regular opera attendees and those who have never seen a show before. If you’re a lover of classical music and an overarching love story, this show is one to see.
