La Bohème
April 24 & 25, 2010

Rimrock Opera presents “La bohème,” beloved tale of tender love and bitter tragedy, on April 24 and 25 at the Alberta Bair Theater. Amy Logan, soprano, as the ill-fated Mimi, and Jeffrey Grant Kitto, tenor, as Rodolfo, the poet who loves her, are central characters amid the counterculture of young, undiscovered artists living in Paris attics, circa 1830. Puccini's incomparable masterpiece has inspired audiences for more than 100 years with its glorious melodies illuminating the eternal story of starving artists and star-crossed lovers in the Latin quarter of Paris. Fellow bohemians, Laura Loge, Jan Michael Kliewer, Dennis Rupp, Chris Sheppard, and Daren Small sing the tragic plot to its bittersweet conclusion with ravishing melodies and direct emotional appeal.

Barbara Day Turner conducts the Rimrock Opera Orchestra, Douglas Nagel is producer-director, and Sheppard prepares the chorus. Rimrock Opera’s Chorus for Kids (ROCK) performs as Paris street urchins. The opera is sung in Italian, with English projected above the stage.

Purchase your opera tickets for the Saturday evening, April 24, 7:30 show, or Sunday April 25, 3:00 PM matinee, at the Alberta Bair Theater box office, online at www.albertabairtheater.org

Schools Invited
RO offers a student matinee performance of La bohème, Thursday, April 22, at the Alberta Bair Theater. Individuals may also purchase tickets to the school matinee, beginning at 9:00 AM

Bohème 01 - Scala 1979 - Che gelida manina See Video

Cast:
Douglas Nagel, director and producer
Barbara Day Turner, conductor
Amy Logan, Mimi
Jeffrey Grant Kitto, Rodolfo
Laura Loge, Musetta
Jan Michael Kliewer, Marcello
Dennis Rupp, Colline
Chris Sheppard, Schaunard
Parpignol, TBA
Daren Small, Benoit
Daren Small, Alcindoro

Synopsis

Composer: Giacomo Puccini

ACT I. Paris, Christmas Eve, c. 1830. In their Latin Quarter garret, the painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo try to keep warm by burning pages from Rodolfo's latest drama. They are joined by their comrades — Colline, a young philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician who has landed a job and brings food, fuel and funds. But while they celebrate their unexpected fortune, the landlord, Benoit, arrives to collect the rent. Plying the older man with wine, they urge him to tell of his flirtations, then throw him out in mock indignation. As the friends depart for a celebration at the nearby Café Momus, Rodolfo promises to join them soon, staying behind to finish writing an article. There is another knock: a neighbor, Mimì, says her candle has gone out on the drafty stairs. Offering her wine when she feels faint, Rodolfo relights her candle and helps her to the door. Mimì realizes she has dropped her key, and as the two search for it, both candles are blown out. In the moonlight the poet takes the girl's shivering hand, telling her his dreams. She then recounts her solitary life, embroidering flowers and waiting for spring. Drawn to each other, Mimì and Rodolfo leave for the café.

ACT II. Amid shouts of street hawkers, Rodolfo buys Mimì a bonnet near the Café Momus before introducing her to his friends. They all sit down and order supper. A toy vendor, Parpignol, passes by, besieged by children. Marcello's former lover, Musetta, enters ostentatiously on the arm of the elderly, wealthy Alcindoro. Trying to regain the painter's attention, she sings a waltz about her popularity. Complaining that her shoe pinches, Musetta sends Alcindoro to fetch a new pair, then falls into Marcello's arms. Joining a group of marching soldiers, the Bohemians leave Alcindoro to face the bill when he returns.

ACT III. At dawn on the snowy outskirts of Paris, a Customs Officer admits farm women to the city. Musetta and revelers are heard inside a tavern. Soon Mimì walks by, searching for the place where the reunited Marcello and Musetta now live. When the painter emerges, she pours out her distress over Rodolfo's incessant jealousy. It is best they part, she says. Rodolfo, who has been asleep in the tavern, is heard, and Mimì hides; Marcello thinks she has left. The poet tells Marcello he wants to separate from his fickle sweetheart. Pressed further, he breaks down, saying Mimì is dying; her ill health can only worsen in the poverty they share. Overcome, Mimì stumbles forward to bid her lover farewell as Marcello runs back into the tavern to investigate Musetta's raucous laughter. While Mimì and Rodolfo recall their happiness, Musetta quarrels with Marcello. The painter and his mistress part in fury, but Mimì and Rodolfo decide to stay together until spring.

ACT IV. Some months later, Rodolfo and Marcello lament their loneliness in the garret. Colline and Schaunard bring a meager meal. The four stage a dance, which turns into a mock fight. The merrymaking is ended when Musetta bursts in, saying Mimì is downstairs, too weak to climb up. As Rodolfo runs to her, Musetta tells how Mimì has begged to be taken to her lover to die. While Mimì is made comfortable, Marcello goes with Musetta to sell her earrings for medicine, and Colline leaves to pawn his cherished overcoat. Alone, Mimì and Rodolfo recall their first days together, but she is seized with coughing. When the others return, Musetta gives Mimì a muff to warm her hands and prays for her life. Mimì dies quietly, and when Schaunard discovers she is dead, Rodolfo runs to her side, calling her name.

-- courtesy of Opera News