Southern Ontario Lyric Opera (SOLO) is bringing back the uber-popular La Boheme on October 2 and 5. Greg Finney returns to the company to direct the Puccini favourite.
A romantic story with tragic overtones, the story and the music combine to create its enduring audience appeal, with about 500 to 600 productions presented across the globe each year.
The Cast
Tenor Romulo Delgado sings the role of Rodolfo, with Laura Nielsen in the seminal role of Mimi. Along with his work as an operatic tenor, Delgado is a composer, world music multi- instrumentalist, vocal coach and adjudicator. Yale Opera grad Laura Nielsen makes her company debut. Nielson was a COC Ensemble Finalist.
Soprano Amelia Daigle, a Western University graduate, sings the role of Musetta in her company debut. Musetta’s jilted lover Marcello is played by Michael Robert-Broder, who previously appeared in SOLO’s Madama Butterfly. Broder often specializes in the performance of German language opera and lieder, and he’s a SOLO audience favourite.
Luke Noftall, last seen in SOLO’s in Carmen as Zuniga, appears as Colline. The performances come just before the up and coming artist joins Calgary Opera’s McPhee Young Artist Program.
Douglas Tranquada and Austin Larusson round out the cast as Schaunard and Benoit/Alcindoro, respectively. Gregory Finney returns to direct and Sabatino Vacca conducts.
The Opera
SOLO will be expanding their performances to Hamilton for the first time, with a show at the McIntyre Theatre at Mohawk College, along with one at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Director Gregory Finney talks about Puccini’s iconic work in a statement.
“Well besides the music, it’s a real story about real people who suffer a real tragedy. All told from the lens of chosen family. There’s no jealous third cousin who’s a suitor, no angry parental figures trying to get in the way to true love, or any of the other trappings you find in Grand Opera. It’s just regular — if you can call a collection of Bohemian artists and artisans ‘regular’ — people going through real life things, with the people they choose to be around. Each character loves the other, albeit in different ways, but it’s these variations on the theme of love that make their chosen family a symphony,” he says.
“I am really lucky to have been brought back to direct a second production with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera. Sabatino is an excellent conductor and musician who is equally as passionate about Opera as he is Symphonic music. I really enjoy how we’re able to interplay his musical skills with my theatrical ones. SOLO also just brings in really great artists and has one of the most eager and excited Chorus — and Youth Chorus so it’s easy to find the play in all this wonderful music. And last, but DEFINITELY not least, the audiences. SOLO audiences are warm and appreciative ,and I can’t wait to share La Boheme with them,” Finney adds.
Details
Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme will be performed in two locations.
- Burlington Performing Arts Centre: October 2, 2024
- MacIntyre Theatre – Mohawk College (Hamilton): October 5, 2024
There will be a pre-performance chat given by Dawn Martens from Opera Canada in the lobby at 6:45 p.m.
Cast
MIMI Laura Nielsen; RODOLFO Romulo Delgado; MUSETTA Amelia Daigle; MARCELLO Michael Robert-Broder; SCHAUNARD Doug Tranquanda; COLLINE Luke Noftall; BENOIT/ALCINDORO Austin Larusson
DIRECTOR: Gregory Finney
Featuring the SOLO Chorus, Youth Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Sabatino Vacca.
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