The Met HD Livecast of Puccini’s La Boheme April 11, 2008
Angela Gheorghiu as Mimi in the Metropolitan Opera’s HD livecast performance of Puccini’s La Boheme
Last weekend, I finally got to view my first HD livecast of the Metropolitan Opera at a local theater, of Puccini’s La Boheme. I feel like in most art forms, I’m the newest to opera. I started watching them way back in high school, and although the genre of plays is newer to me, I took to plays more easily – maybe because I love to read, and I loved the banter and wordplay of plays such as History Boys and the quiet tragic nakedness of Awake and Sing! (my first play, ever, which I saw the revival on Broadway with Lauren Ambrose and Mark Ruffalo). That being said, opera is really trying to make a comeback with modern lavish productions. And the most surprising thing is, although it seems inaccessible and hard to understand for the general public, I’ve been surprised by how loyal opera fans are and how crazy they can be for this art form, even more than Broadway folks. There is definitely an audience out there, and the HD livecast is a great way to make really great opera, accessible to people all over the world, including people on cruise ships, as the livecast announced.
The production was a spectacle; grand sets, with tons of people, gorgeous intricate sets, and superstar performers. Directed by Frank Zeffirelli, the diva Angela Gheorghiu sang the part of Mimi – it was an understated but powerful performance, portraying not the naive Mimi in the first act, but a girl who’s been around the block. It was a different take on things, reminiscent of Mimi in Rent. She seemed to come more alive in the second act, as the stunningly beautiful but tragic Mimi. Ramon Vargas sang the role of Rodolfo; while he definitely doesn’t look like the Rodolfo of my dreams, his soaring tenor brought tears to my eyes when he sang his introduction to Mimi in the first act, and then his singing in the last ten minutes of the show made the entire show worth it for me. His acting was also quietly effective, and translated well on screen.
My favorite part of these livecasts however, are the broadcasts of the backstage events. It was refreshing and eye opening to see the sets up close, and to see what goes on behind the curtain. The livecast was narrated by the beautiful Renee Fleming, whose honest interviewing style often made everyone laugh out loud – she got the kids in the children’s choir to tell on their teacher who described her something like, “She’s not always so crazy”. I much prefer an interviewer such as Fleming who is honest, relateable, and down to earth rather than polished or so professional. She had funny stories too, such as how when she sang Mimi once, she couldn’t stop coughing after she died.
Another highlight was seeing the preview for the next livecast, which is Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment, starring Natalie Dessay and the amazing Juan Diego Florez. The preview was absolutely adorable and hilarious, and although it’s not as well known as La Boheme, it looks like a definite winner. I was looking forward to seeing it as soon as I found out that tenor Juan Diego Florez is in it – he completely blew my mind in Barlett Sher’s production of the Barber of Seville at the Met. I wish I could find the preview that I saw in the theater, but I can’t seem to find it.
Anyways, what a great privilege to be able to experience a Met opera, locally. Despite some gooey slowness and understated staid glamor (although admittedly the three hours passed by quicker than I thought), La Boheme was still a great experience and left me curious about what other operas the Met will be broadcasting.
Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Florez in La Fille du Regiment - Dessay is a hilarious comedic actor.
The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD
Opera is meant to be seen and heard live, and so are musicals and dance. There is something that happens magically between audience and performers at certain times that is the real reason for its almost liturgical, sacred power which you’re not going to get through a movie screen (and I also love movies).
Do take advantage of having one of the greatest opera houses and opera companies nearby in San Francisco. Get in touch with me during the upcoming summer opera season and I’ll introduce you to the art (and we can do standing room for $10 with OperaVision in the balcony, it’s a trip.). Once you get hooked, you’ll realize that opera really is the ultimate Western art form.
And it’s not Frank Zefferelli, it’s Franco, and he’s a right-wing old Italian queen whose time has passed. Personally, I never need to see another “La Boheme” again in my life. Think of the musical you’ve seen the most often and never want to see again, and you’ll understand the reaction.
I’m sure you’re right – I’ve been meaning to watch the SF Opera this past year but it didn’t happen. This summer sounds great, esp when the ballet and other things die down. I’m also looking forward to Anna Netrebko’s appearance next summer.
I completely fell in love with the Met’s performance of Barber of Seville last year, but I’ve also seen enough bad opera in SoCal to be a little wary and suspicious of each offering.