The Daily OrangeSyracuse Opera performs 'La Bohème' this weekend
By Sarah Jane Capper
Posted: 10/21/09, 12:35 AM EST Section: Feature
Set in Paris during the 1830s, the story of "La Bohème" still connects with audiences today. The opera inspired "Rent," the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history, and is one of the top three most-requested operas in the world. The opera's plot centers around artists struggling to live out their dreams. The characters fall in love, become jealous, laugh and mourn death.
"People can connect to this opera better because they've already heard the story in a different context," said Sierra Fox, a junior vocal performance major in the show's chorus.
Fox remembers going to see her first opera, "Rigoletto," during her freshman year. She said the music was pretty, but it lacked the accessibility of "La Bohème," which has a young cast and familiar themes that make it a great first opera for students.
"The music speaks for itself," Fox said.
Syracuse Opera will perform Giacomo Puccini's "La Bohème" this Friday at 8 p.m. and again Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater, located in the John H. Mulroy Civic Center on 411 Montgomery St. The opera follows the lives of four bohemians, a mistress and a seamstress, Mimi in Paris. It will be sung in Italian and have English subtitles.
The performance is collaboration with the Everson Museum of Art and will provide a new interpretation of the opera to match the museum's exhibits. Mimi will wear a blue dress similar to the one in Renoir's painting "La Parisienne," which is on display at the Everson as part of the "Turner to Cézanne" exhibit. The set also features reproductions of art and posters from the Impressionist period.
"It gives the audience more of a feel for what life might've been like at the time," said Catherine Wolff, general director of Syracuse Opera.
Tickets start at $18, but student rush tickets are available for $10 one hour before the show. Everson and Syracuse Opera are also offering a family weekend discount to visit both the museum and the opera, starting at $27. Tickets can be purchased through the Syracuse Opera box office or online.
Molly Quinn, a freshman music industry major, has never been to an opera before, but plans to see "La Bohème" with her parents, who will be visiting for Family Weekend. Quinn said she's excited to hear live performances of the well-known pieces from the opera and to see some of her friends perform.
"I want to be able to experience all types of music," she said.
sjcapper@syr.edu
"People can connect to this opera better because they've already heard the story in a different context," said Sierra Fox, a junior vocal performance major in the show's chorus.
Fox remembers going to see her first opera, "Rigoletto," during her freshman year. She said the music was pretty, but it lacked the accessibility of "La Bohème," which has a young cast and familiar themes that make it a great first opera for students.
"The music speaks for itself," Fox said.
Syracuse Opera will perform Giacomo Puccini's "La Bohème" this Friday at 8 p.m. and again Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater, located in the John H. Mulroy Civic Center on 411 Montgomery St. The opera follows the lives of four bohemians, a mistress and a seamstress, Mimi in Paris. It will be sung in Italian and have English subtitles.
The performance is collaboration with the Everson Museum of Art and will provide a new interpretation of the opera to match the museum's exhibits. Mimi will wear a blue dress similar to the one in Renoir's painting "La Parisienne," which is on display at the Everson as part of the "Turner to Cézanne" exhibit. The set also features reproductions of art and posters from the Impressionist period.
"It gives the audience more of a feel for what life might've been like at the time," said Catherine Wolff, general director of Syracuse Opera.
Tickets start at $18, but student rush tickets are available for $10 one hour before the show. Everson and Syracuse Opera are also offering a family weekend discount to visit both the museum and the opera, starting at $27. Tickets can be purchased through the Syracuse Opera box office or online.
Molly Quinn, a freshman music industry major, has never been to an opera before, but plans to see "La Bohème" with her parents, who will be visiting for Family Weekend. Quinn said she's excited to hear live performances of the well-known pieces from the opera and to see some of her friends perform.
"I want to be able to experience all types of music," she said.
sjcapper@syr.edu
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