Opera Fresca Presents Giacomo Puccini's

La Bohème

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For information about Opera Fresca and this production, including cast and creative credits, 
print availability and more, please visit the  La Bohème information page

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Program front cover for Opera Fresca's April 2006 production of Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème. Graphic design by Micaela Carr. Act I of La Boheme begins in a Paris artists' garret where Marcello (Baritone Adam Juran) is painting a picture. The Narrator (Lorry Lepaule) sets the scene in Opera Fresca's April 2006 production of La Bohème in Fort Bragg CA. It is Christmas Eve in a Paris Latin Quarter garret about 1890. Rodolfo (Pedro Rodelas, tenor), a starving poet, is the leading man in Puccini's La Boheme. Rodolfo and Marcello. Rodolfo Rodolfo and Marcello Marcello and Rodolfo try to warm themselves in their freezing garret studio. Marcello and Rodolfo are joined by their friend Colline (Bryan Boyce, bass). Schaunard (John Dooley, baritone) a composer, arrives at the bohemians' garret. Schaunard Rodolfo and Schaunard Schaunard seems to be the only one of the four bohemian friends in La Boheme who has any money. Opera Fresca costume designer Gail Daly has fitted him out with a stylish outfit. Schaunard Schaunard pours liquor for landlord Benoit (Richard Goodman, baritone) who has come to collect the rent. The bohemians have gotten the landlord drunk. Benoit, now drunk, has forgotten his mission to collect the rent. Mimi (Jessica Julin, soprano) comes to the door of the garret. Mimi, a neighbor, has come to ask for a match to light her candle. Rodolfo is alone in the garret after the others have moved their party to a nearby cafe. Mimi and Rodolfo Mimi has lost her door key. Rodolfo and Mimi get acquainted. Rodolfo and Mimi quickly fall in love. Rodolfo and Mimi Mimi and Rodolfo Mimi and Rodolfo Mimi and Rodolfo Act II of La Boheme is set in Cafe Momus in Paris' Latin Quarter, where the bohemians have moved their Christmas Eve party. Mimi and Rodolfo join the others at Cafe Momus. The audience is seated at cafe tables like those on stage. Mimi and Rodolfo join the group at Cafe Momus as the chorus of townspeople are seen outside (background). The freinds have some wine and food at Cafe Momus. Colline (Bryan Boyce), Rodolfo (Pedro Rodelas), Mimi (Jessica Julin), Schaunard (John Dooley) and Marcello (Adam Juran) at Cafe Momus. Rodolfo and Mimi Rodolfo and Mimi The vivacious Musetta (Kresha Faber, soprano) arrives with the elderly Alcindoro (Richard Goodman, baritone) at Cafe Momus. Musetta and Alcindoro sit down. Musetta wears an elegant outfit by Opera Fresca costume designer Gail Daly. Musetta and Alcindoro at Cafe Momus The scene at Cafe Momus with all of the principals and some of the chorus in Act II of Opera Fresca's April 2006 production of Puccini's La Boheme. Musetta flirts with her old flame Marcello. Musetta schemes up a way to get rid of Alcindoro for a while. Musetta begs Alcindoro to take off her too-tight shoe. Musetta orders Alcindoro to take her shoe and go get her one that fits. Rodolfo, Mimi and Marcello With Alcindoro gone to do her errand, Musetta entices Rodolfo. Townspeople (chorus) look on in amusement as Alcindora is stuck with the bill. Chorus members in Opera Fresca's April 2006 production of Puccini's La Boheme. Alcindoro is shocked at the amount of the tab as chorus members look on. Chorus members and Alcindoro. Act III of La Boheme is set in a wintry garden outside Cafe Momus in February. Mimi speaks to two gendarmes. Mimi and townspeople Mimi tells Marcello that her relationship with Rodolfo is about to end. Mimi and Marcello Mimi asks Marcello if Rodolfo is inside. Marcello tells Rodolfo that Mimi's poor health is an opportunity to end their relationship. Rodolfo tell Marcello he can't bear to see Mimi so sick. Rodolfo Rodolfo Mimi has overheard Rodolfo and Marcello talking about her. Mimi Rodolfo and Mimi Musetta is angry with Marcello. Musetta and jealous Marcello have a fight Musetta and jealous Marcello have a fight Rodolfo and Mimi Rodolfo and Mimi Narrator Lorry Lepaule sets the scene, back in the bohemian garret studio in Act IV of La Boheme. The orchestra can barely be seen in the background behind a scrim. Time has passed. Rodolfo and Mimi have split up, and he and Marcello are alone in the garret once again. Rodolfo pines for Mimi. Marcello remembers his passionate love affair with Musetta. Marcello Rodolfo holds the bonnet which Mimi has left him as a keepsake. Schaunard and Colline have arrived at the garret with some food to share. Colline eats as Rodolfo and Marcello talk about their situation. Colline, the philosopher Schaunard, the composer Schaunard, Colline, Rodolfo and Marcello share bread, wine and friendship. Marcello plays a woman's role in a mock dance with Rodolfo. Schaunard and Colline play at fencing with a baguette and an artist's paintbrush. Musetta arrives at the garret just after a spirited food fight. Musetta has brought Mimi to Rodolfo, who guides her to a couch. Mimi is surrounded by Colline, Schaunard and Rodolfo. Musetta and Marcello Rodolfo comforts Mimi as Schaunard watches in the background. Rodolfo and Mimi Rodolfo and Mimi, Colline and Schaunard Musetta and Marcello Musetta and Marcello Colline Colline sings his famous "coat" aria Colline with his coat. Rodolfo tries to comfort Mimi Rodolfo and Mimi Rodolfo and Mimi Rodolfo and Mimi Rodolfo and Mimi, who holds the bonnet she gave Rodolfo to remember her by. Rodolfo and Mimi, with Schaunard in background Musetta has brought Mimi a fur muff to warm her hands; she sold her earrings to pay for it. Musetta puts Mimi's icy hands into the white fur muff. Musetta looks on as Rodolfo tries to comfort the gravely ill Mimi. Mimi loses consciousness as Rodolfo holds her. Rodolfo holds Mimi as she slips away. The fur muff falls to the floor as Mimi dies. Musetta Rodolfo discovers that Mimi has died. Rodolfo cries out in grief. Marcello and Musetta comfort each other as Rodolfo mourns his Mimi. Rodolfo grieves for Mimi. The opera ends on a tragic note as Rodolfo grieves for Mimi. The chorus members take the first bow as the audience rises in a standing ovation. Bryan Boyce (Colline) comes forward to take his bow. Pedro Rodelas (Rodolfo) and Jessica Julin (Mimi) return to the stage Pedro Rodelas (Rodolfo) and Jessica Julin (Mimi) return to the stage Pedro Rodelas (Rodolfo), Jessica Julin (Mimi), Bryan Boyce (Colline) and members of the chorus take their bows. Pedro Rodelas (Rodolfo), Jessica Julin (Mimi), Bryan Boyce (Colline), Richard Goodman (Benoit and Alcindoro) and members of the chorus. John Dooley (Schaunard), Kresha Faber(Musetta), Adam Juran (Marcello), Pedro Rodelas (Rodolfo) and Jessica Julin (Mimi) with members of the chorus during curtain call. Chorus members and John Dooley (Schaunard) and Kresha Faber (Musetta). Chorus members with John Dooley, Kresha Faber, Adam Juran, Pedro Rodelas and Jessica Julin. Chorus members with Pedro Rodelas, Jessica Julin, Bryan Boyce and Richard Goodman. Finally, the scrim obscuring the orchestra was partially opened as the musicians took a well-deserved bow. Les Pfutzenreuter is the conductor. All of these photos were taken from a fixed position in the balcony using a telephoto lens. This photo shows what the eye actually saw during Act II of the final performance. Note the English "supertitles" projected on a screen above the stage.

Opera Fresca website www.operafresca.com (opens in a new window)

For information about Opera Fresca and this production, including cast and creative credits, 
print availability and more, please visit the  La Bohème information page

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revised 6/6/2006