Catching your very first opera at the Sydney Opera House is bucket list type stuff right?
Opera 101 also says that if you are going to see one opera in your lifetime, La Bohème should be it; a tale of love, friendship and survival, the Puccini classic is currently playing out to the end of its three month residency on the world’s most famous stage.
Team Sydney Social 101 were treated to a very special evening hosted by Opera Australia, to enjoy a performance of La Bohème (until March 23rd), followed by an oyster party where we brushed shoulders with the talented cast at the Four Seasons Hotel. Not bad for a Wednesday night, hey?
So for all the Opera newbies, like me, here’s what you need to know:
1. Yes it’s all in Italian. In preparation for this I did a little reading up on the story ahead of the performance. Fear not though, as Opera Australia have this covered; providing an English translation above the stage.
2. Giacomo Puccini was renowned for his tales about ordinary people, and a huge part of his popularity was from “putting great sorrows in little souls”. You can certainly see why; 120 years on, the characters are still endearing and relatable.
3. La Bohème has been the inspiration for many adaptations, most famously the hit 1996 musical, ‘Rent’.
4. The current Opera House adaptation is set in the bohemian streets of 1930’s Berlin. If it reminds you of Moulin Rouge, then you would be right; Baz Luhrmann borrowed characters for the multi award-winning film.
5. Speaking of Mr Luhrmann, he also directed a version of La Bohème for Opera Australia, back in 1990.
6. You need to neck your drink in the interval, you can’t take it in to the theatre (standard RSA procedures apply).
7. ‘Musetta’s Waltz’ is the standout piece and was featured as the theme song for the film ‘Moonstruck’.
8. There are four Acts in the Opera, but there were originally five. The 5th was written in by librettists (the people who write the lyrics to the score), but removed by Puccini for the final production.
9. Bring tissues.
10. The cast are all superb, but the vocal performance of J-Min Park as the lead, Rodolfo, sends shivers down your spine.
Poster for the 1896 production for Puccini’s La bohème Artist: Adolfo Hohenstein (1854-1928) Date of Publication: 1896 Publisher: G. Ricordi & Co. (Source: Allposters.com)
WHAT: La Bohème by Opera Australia
WHERE: Sydney Opera House
WHEN: Until March 23rd 2016
WEB: www.opera.org.au
FOLLOW: #OABoheme
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