The Lyric Opera, at 20 N. Wacker, Chicago, is currently staging Puccini’s masterpiece, La Bohème, in a limited run through April 11, 2025, sung in Italian, with projected English titles. A production of the Los Angeles and Dallas operas, with visually captivating sets by Seattle Opera Scenic Studios, its 4 sumptuous scenes span 2 hours 20 minutes. Strategically diirected by Melanie Bacaling, conducted by Jordan de Souza, Chorus Director Michael Black, and Uniting Voices Chicago(formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) Director Josephine Lee, this is a performance for everybody to enjoy, opera buff or newcomer.
La Bohème is a simple, wry, classic tale of cunning, not-quite-starving artists who live in a Parisian garret in the Latin Quarter circa 1830. They drink, love, quarrel; they are not exactly young. They all live by their wits; the men aren’t entirely honest. The women aren’t completely virtuous, and one perishes of tuberculosis in the icy winter.
The visual glories of dance, costumes, wigs, hats, and staging were well coupled with an extraordinary collective of musical and vocal riches. The orchestra was well in tune and capably led, the chorus full, the children’s chorus voices sweet. Both chorus groups were majestic in their tableaux-as during the 2d Act frozen snow scene.
The collection of principals was well-rounded. Samoan tenor Pene Pati has a remarkably rich, deep voice, with a fulsome presence as the poet Rodolfo, emotional and immediate. His Act 4 tribute to the dying Mimi was beautiful, memorable and sweet. The seamstress Mimì is sung and portrayed by Mexican American soprano Ailyn Pérez, possessed of a lovely, colorful voice. She inhabits the role with an enormous range, from whispery tender through expansively loud, always true.
American Baritone Will Liverman as the painter Marcello is strikingly personable and emotionally vibrant. In his third act counsellorship of both Rodolfo and Mimi, he is deeply persuasive. In his last-act duet with Pati, missing his lost muse, he is plaintive and tender. And Marcello’s beauteous Musetta, passionate and stormy, is sung with confidence by Nicaraguan American soprano Gabriella Reyes, who’s sung both Mimi and Musetta in Zeffirelli’s La Bohème. She stands out in the role, confident, sensuous, bold, capable of acting the shrew and the true-at-heart with equal aplomb.
Chinese bass-baritone Peixin Chen plays the clever philosopher, Colline. He sings majestically, most beseechingly in the wonderful “Coat Aria” in which he decides to hawk his last warm garment to purchase medicaments for sick Mimi. Ryan Opera Center (of the Lyric Opera) Ensemble member Ian Rucker as the musician Schaunard has a lustrous baritone voice, and is a joy to watch in the finale as a would-be ballerina.
Levi Hernandez, recent Ryan Opera Center graduate, as landlord Benoit and boulevardier Alcindoro, has a charming baritone voice and compelling stage presence. Tenor Travon Walker, second year Ryan young artist, appeared as toy vendor Papignol, noticeably fluent and inspired.
Kudos to the entire production team with special mention here to Lighting Director Duane Schuler, whose spot-on work diversely and carefully accentuated the stunning scenes, scenery, and characters.
Don’t miss the great art exhibit in the lobby!
All photos by Michael Brosilow
For information and tickets to La Bohème, go to www.lyricopera.org
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