Puccini Triumphs: Pacific Symphony's La Boheme in Concert

by Angela Rocco DeCarlo

Pacific Symphony’s masterful concert production of Giacomo Puccini’s great love story, “La Boheme,” is the very distillation of operatic chic. With Carl St. Clair conducting and A. Scott Parry directing, the Pacific Symphony orchestra’s vibrant, yet, velvet backdrop to the opera’s sexy lead singers produced a singular intimate sensation.

Frankly, it was a revelation to experience such an affecting “La Boheme” in a concert setting. Last night’s performance at the Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa, ( next April 21 & 24 ) demonstrates Puccini was and remains a great artist of human emotions. His music – which he orchestrated, as well as composed – apparently doesn’t need elaborate sets and costumes when it has young beautiful actors with fine voices to carry the drama.

Hyung Yun as Marcello captivated with his abundant dramatic charm and exasperation at Georgia Jarman’s naughty Musetta. Denis Sedov’s imposing stature as Colline is endlessly graceful, while David Lomeli as Rodolfo and Maija Kovalevska and Mimi make real the unfortunate lovers. Jeremy Kelly’s Schaunard is the resourceful friend. Together they filled a stage devoid of elaborate sets and costumes with beautiful singing and effective acting. The audience's “bravos" and standing ovation were well-deserved. There was one voice heard to cheer…”Bravo Puccini.” Afterall, without him it would have been merely an empty stage. There are two more performances, April 21 and 24th. Preview talk by Alan Chapman, 7 p.m.

Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

April 21, 24 – 8 p.m.

For tickets call 714-755-5788

Or visit http://www.pacificsymphony.org

Tickets $30 - $110

Angela Rocco DeCarlo

Entertainment/travel writer

Fall in Love with Puccini's Boys: La Boheme, in concert at R & H Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa, CA

R & H SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL – COSTA MESA, CA
GIACOMO PUCCINI’S “LA BOHEME” staged in concert
APRIL 19, 21, 24, 8 P.M.

by Angela Rocco DeCarlo


Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece, “La Boheme”, will return to Orange County, CA, April 19, 21, 24, 8 p.m., at the R & H Segerstrom Concert Hall, the newest addition to complex formerly known as The Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa, now The Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

The opera will be staged in concert with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra onstage, Carl St. Clair conducting. The singers, four men and two women, will provide a unique presentation of this classic and timeless love story, which debuted in Turin, Italy, in 1896. It was presented by the late Opera Pacific in 2007 to critical acclaim. It is everyone’s favorite love story in opera – exuberant, yet tragic.

Puccini’s music evokes the emotions and intentions of the characters so perfectly, scenery is hardly needed. This is a thoroughly modern-feeling story - a timeless slice-of- life – verismo – story. It is the struggles of twenty-something boys and girls who are trying to do something creative with their lives, while living a raucous, poverty-prone existence. They may be poor but they live lavish emotional lives. The opera is based upon an autobiographical novel by Henry Murger recounting his youthful Parisian days with his friends on the Left Bank.

The cast of singers includes: David Lomeli, as Rodolfo; Hyung Yun as Marcello; Jeremy Kelly as Schaunard; Denis Sedov as Coline; Maija Kovalevsk as Mimi and Georgia Jarman as Musetta. The opera takes place on Christmas Eve and features the Southern California Children’s Chorus and Pacific Chorale.


For tickets and details:
Box Office – 714-755-5799
Tickets: $30-$110
http://www.pacificsymphony.org

Angela Rocco DeCarlo, entertainment/travel writer & former Opera Pacific docent