Opera – La Bohème

Date: 6 to 10 October 2010 (6 performances)
Venue: Grand Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre

An Opera in Four Acts
Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Libretto: Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, after the novel of Henri Murger
Performed in French with Chinese and English Surtitles

A Co-production of Opera Hong Kong and Teatro dell’Opera di Roma

Producer: Warren Mok
Conductor: Gianluca Martinenghi / Bruno Aprea
Director: Maurizio di Mattia
Set Designer: Maurizio Varamo
Costume Designer: Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
Lighting Designer: Maurizio di Mattia and Maurizio Varamo

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Opera Hong Kong Children Chorus

Set in the Bohemian quarter of Paris, “La Bohème” centres on the tragic love of the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimì. Both living in poverty, they fall in love at first sight in the garret but are separated through Rodolfo’s jealousy, and reunited only as Mimì lies dying. Since its premiere in 1896, “La Bohème” has become one of the most popular operas in the Italian repertoire and continues to be staged by opera houses around the world.

With an astonishing melodic richness and a well-organised four-act structure, this masterpiece includes a series of moving arias and ensembles, such as Rodolfo’s “Che gelida mania” (Your tiny hand is frozen), with its technically challenging high C, and Mimì’s “Si, mi chiamano Mimì” (Yes, I am called Mimì), which have become famous Italian opera arias.

This new production, a joint effort by Opera Hong Kong and Rome Opera, will be updated to the mid-20th century with a modern Paris setting. Famous Hong Kong tenor Warren Mok is the producer, Maurizio di Mattia from Rome Opera is stage director, and talented conductors Gianluca Martinenghi and Bruno Aprea will conduct alternative performances.