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In rehearsal for La Bohème
Final preparations are underway for the production of the opera La Bohème — the première performances will take place on the 11th, 13th, and 31st of May.


The production’s musical director, Peter Feranec, is certain that from Giacomo Puccini’s musical drama, audiences will be able to draw parallels with their own emotional experiences: “When choosing to put on La Bohème, we thought about those youths for whom a visit to the theatre forms perhaps one of the most important chapters in their own personal stories, perhaps the start or continuation of a romantic meeting. This unfolding love story under the rooftops of Paris will touch each one of them deeply. It wasn’t in our power to change the opera’s tragic finale, but the fates of its characters, related in such wonderful musical language, help us not only to appreciate their feelings and affections, but also form a connection with our own.”

Arnaud Bernard, the production’s stage and artistic director, is not looking to fill it with mundane details. The Parisian skyline will provide the backdrop to the action — the mood of locals in small garrets, or visitors to a flea-market will change with its colouring. “It’s important for me to convey a sense of freedom and a feeling of close, yet unattainable happiness. La Bohème is not reality put on stage; it is a production of dreams, of fantasies.”

The production will feature young operatic soloists from the Mikhailovsky Theatre, as well as specially-invited vocalists. Preparing the role of Mimi are Tatiana Ryaguzova, Maria Litke and Olga Tolkmit. Natalia Mironova, Svetlana Monchak and Svetlana Moskalenko are rehearsing the role of Musetta. Among the male performers are Andrey Zhilikhovsky (Schaunard), Denis Sedov (Colline), Boris Pinkhasovich and Alesh Yennes (Marcello). Preparing for the role of Rodolfo are Dmitry Karpov, Evgeny Nagovitsyn and Marius Manea. The production’s rich and dynamic storyline requires the performers to be more than just highly accomplished vocalists — to be great actors, also. During rehearsals, the stage director has been focussing on making each performer on stage act as naturally as possible, in preparation for the upcoming premières.