La bohème from Opera North at Leeds Grand Theatre.

Now, here’s another first – and second. This is the first time I have ever been to an event and my notebook remained unused, the main reason was because it was the second time I have seen this production of La bohème and I thought that I would sit and watch it in the same way a ‘normal’ theatregoer would, without over analysing the various sections. As much I enjoyed it last time, this was on another level. The experience was helped by this particular opera having a very simple storyline, so I didn’t really need to follow the translation on the display screens.

It is Christmas Eve in the room of a large house where two of its four tenants, Rodolfo, a writer and Marcello, a painter, are freezing cold but have no money to buy firewood, or food for that matter. As a last resort they decide to feed the stove with the manuscript of Rodolfo’s new play, which obviously doesn’t last for long – the heat, not the play! Their friend, Colline, a philosopher, arrives but he is also out of funds, having failed to pawn his books. Just as it seems that Christmas is going to be cancelled, the final member of the quartet, a musician named Schaunard, bursts in carrying a bagful of goodies, having found gainful employment for the day. As they are tucking in Benoit, the landlord, arrives for the three months rent arrears, but they sit him down, ply him with booze and send him on his way. They decide to go to Café Momus to continue the celebrations, but Rodolfo has an article to finish and says he will join them later.

The four housemates: Marcello (Yuriy Yurchuk), Schaunard (Seán Boylan), Rodolfo (Anthony Ciaramitaro) and Colline (Han Kim) take Benoit’s (Jeremy Peaker) mind off the outstanding rent.

As he is finishing his piece, there is a knock at the door and the girl who lives upstairs asks if he can light her candle. Although not a euphemism at the time, it soon turns into one, and the pair fall in love. Sadly, Mimi is ill and faints. When she recovers she realises that she has lost her key, actually, Rodolfo has trousered it so that she has to stay. They decide to join the others at the café stopping on the way for Rodolfo to buy Mimi a hat as her Christmas present.

Musetta (Elin Pritchard) giving her sugar daddy Alcindoro (Jeremy Peaker, who has scrubbed up well from being the landlord) the brush off. Backed by members of the Chorus of Opera North.

The bash at Café Momus is in full swing, especially as Musetta, Marcello’s former lover, but still carrying a flame for him, is there with her new rich man friend, Alcindoro, abruptly given the bum’s rush by Musetta, who keeps ordering drinks all round to be put on his tab. Has the woman no shame? Well, no. It turns out that Mimi is a bit of a flirt herself, which causes Rodolfo to become jealous and, in February, things come to a head, when Marcello advises him to leave her. It also transpires that his inability to care for her properly is further affecting her health. The two decide to split in the Spring.

Rodolfo (Anthony Ciarmitaro) and Mimi (Olivia Boen) light each others candle.

In September, Rodolfo and Marcello are trying to work but each is still besotted by their thoughts of Mimi and Musetta. Colline and Schaunard arrive, once again bringing provisions, and they hold a mock banquet which is interrupted by the two women, Mimi now being critically ill. Musetta gives Marcello her earrings to sell and raise money to pay for some medicine and a doctor while she goes out to buy a muff to keep Mimi’s hands warm and Colline leaves to pawn his overcoat to add to the fund for the medic.

Musetta (Elin Pritchard), Schaunard (Seán Boyland), Colline (Han Kim), and Marcello (Yuriy Yurchuk) share the last moments with Rodolfo (Anthony Ciaramitaro) and Mimi (Olivia Boen)

Now alone, Rodolfo and Mimi reminisce on the good times, but, by the time the others return, she is beyond help.

Hey, come on, it is an opera, and an Italian one at that, so it can’t end well.

It really was wonderful to be able to just enjoy the evening and soak up the atmosphere with only a peripheral regard for the technicalities. I must comment on the production though, which was superb. The stage was designed to be framed by a white square, giving the impression of the narrative being photograph-like. It also defined the borders, meaning that on one occasion, Mimi could step out in front of the frame, indicating that she was not in the main action, but was still fully visible to the audience, a vital element of the scene.

The stage and set, designed by Anthony Ward, who was also responsible for the costumes, with the Orchestra of Opera North in the pit, conducted, impeccably as ever, by Garry Walker, the Company’s Musical Director. The Chorus Master was Anthony Kraus.

Because of its range of emotions, from comic to tragic, not only did the performers need to be excellent singers, which they were – and then some – but also to be more than proficient in the acting department, again a perfect 10. That marking was also allocated to the children involved, who are members of Opera North Youth Company, for bringing the Christmas street scene to life.

Puccini’s music is always very accessible to the untrained ear, both of them, which I suspect is why Opera North are promoting La bohème as the perfect work to experience on your first visit to the opera. In fact, not only do all the seats allocated to first-timers appear to have been sold, there is an additional performance on Monday 27th October at Leeds Grand Theatre, dedicated solely to newbies on a pay what you can basis, the minimum being £2!

La bohème, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, is at Leeds Grand Theatre on 24th, 25th, 28th October, ending on 1st November with two performances. It then plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal on 5th, 6th and 8th November; Lowry, Salford Quays on 12th, 13th and 15th November; ending up at Theatre Royal Nottingham on 19th, 20th and 22nd. For more information, a trailer and bookings please go to https://www.operanorth.co.uk/whats-on/la-boheme/ Other Opera North Productions are at https://www.operanorth.co.uk/

Should you be available to see this work at any point on its tour, I would urge you to do so. You’re welcome.

To discover what else is coming to Leeds Grand Theatre it is https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/?theatre=leeds-grand-theatre

Photography by Richard H Smith