Saturday, December 18, 2010

La bohème by Giacomo Puccini



The origins of the opera is from 1892 and Puccini manifesto “I have a feeling only for small things, and do not want to concern myself with anything else” is right to the point in La bohème.

It is about small things in live, humble people with their small joys and… well big sorrows. I don’t feel like bragging if I say Mimi and Rodolfo are most popular pair of lovers in all opera repertoire. La bohème is about pure love; no intrigues, no infidelities… just a fate or in my opinion bad luck.


This particular performance of La bohème was not ordinary or everyday stuff. No! Anna Netrebko’s alluring singing and a glamorous physical appearance makes this one magical.

Netrebko’s fascinating vocal color, distinctive dark/melancholy sound, delicacy of her top notes, sensual appearance, energy, acting… simply give her epitaph of THE DIVA.


She has Orfeo's hypnotic power over audiences and bring the best from all singers. Peter Lodahl (Rodolfo) was particularly good! Same goes for Gisela Stille (Musetta) and Palle Knudsen (Marcello); and not to forget Ludvig Lindström (Colline) and Thomas Storm (Schaunard).

This has been most exciting, one-off, La bohème experience; therefore I made a decision; don't want to see this opera without Anna acting Mimi ever again :)