Educational Media Reviews Online

This video presentation of the opera La Bohème, considered “one of the most frequently performed operas in the world,” is a film version of the live performance by the Royal Opera House in 2009. The Royal Opera House has been staging this specific opera for over 30 years and this version is the 23rd revival of Giacomo Puccini’s classic work. Performed at Covent Garden, the video allows the viewer to experience a performance with the added energy of live orchestra accompaniment as well as the opportunity to hear audience appreciation expressed after listening to selected arias by the singers.

La Bohème is set in Paris in 1830 beginning on Christmas Eve and continues through the following spring. The opera includes four acts and tells the story of four artistic friends or bohemians as affectionately called in the opera title. The viewer follows Rodolfo (a poet), Marcello (a painter), Colline (a philosopher), and Schaunard (a musician) as carefree struggling artists as they interact with each other and their friends in loosely connected scenes. However, the story of the love between Rodolfo and Mimi and to a lesser extent Marcello and Musetta form a large part of the narrative in Acts 3 and 4. Rodolfo and Mimi declare their love with beautiful arias, learn that Mimi is not well, experience conflict, and later find each other again in the final act. The hushed music in Act 4 brings us to the realization that Mimi’s sickness will win but love returns as she reunites with Rodolfo. They remember their meeting with returning musical themes and express their undying love as she drifts into her final sleep. And finally, the music allows Rodolfo to express his intense loss for Mimi as the opera ends. As the curtain closes, the viewer will realize the magic of the entire performance.

Through the music, composer Puccini captures the nuances of the story and weaves the passion and emotion of the love scenes with the cheer, and merriment of the artists as they celebrate with their friends in selected sections. The costumes and sets for the opera scenes capture the décor of the century. The full view of the orchestra is only visible at the beginning of each act and while there is no overture or orchestral interlude between acts, the effect of the orchestra accompaniment near the stage is apparent and adds to the heartfelt passion and emotion for the sorrowful and bittersweet moments in selected love scenes. Although program notes for some audiences would be helpful to clarify the story line, the music, singing, and acting make for a captivating live performance.

Recommended for opera collections in university libraries and large public libraries.