La Bohème – REVIEW
Image: The cast of La Bohème and Opera Australia Orchestra - On Stage Banda in Opera Australia's 2023 production of La Bohème at the Sydney Opera House Photo Credit: Rhiannon Hopley
The opening night of Opera Australia’s 2023 production of La Bohème heralded the twelfth consecutive season of Gale Edwards’ much loved version, and affirmed the opera’s place as a favourite in the repertoire.
Since Opera Australia first staged La Bohème in 1957 it has had many interpretations, from Puccini’s original setting in 1890s Paris to Baz Lurhmann and Catherine Martin’s monochromatic, neon lit 1957 vision to Simon Phillips’ quirky placement in a modern day apartment block.
But it is Edwards’ inspired production that has endured. Visually, Act II is particularly photo-worthy. The scene, in a bustling public square and then inside Café Momus, is rich with colour, vibrant with activity. It begins in a market place with a rough and tumble children’s chorus, circus-style entertainers, a women’s military marching band, and a miscellany of vendors, strollers, and quirky characters.
Then we enter the Cafè: five balcony opera-boxes with lacquered ornate red facade, red velvet curtains, and vanity-light framing. Seated in each are members of the bourgeoisie and scantily clad women being seductive.
At floor level, cabaret chairs and tables, a bar, and our heroes. This is the scene that introduces the coquettish Musetta with the opera’s most recognisable tune, “Musetta’s Waltz”. There’s visual humour and complex choreography, with the largest number of people on stage here than in any other scene.
Acts I and IV play out in the meagre home and studio of the the students; a large space, dimly lit, an old iron stove, a few items of furniture and nothing much more. It has a blueish hue to it, in stark contrast to the lush, sensual red of Act II.
Act III is probably the strongest signaller of the pre-WWII setting. The stage is surrounded with a tall wire fence and there are uniformed personnel.
Quite a simple design overall, yet very effective.
Many of the opening night performers will hand-off to another singer mid-way through the season, but that should not affect anyone’s enjoyment of this delightful production.
