La bohème 2023 Programme

There are many reasons why I love La bohème. The four struggling artists sharing a room
remind me of earlier times in my own life that were youthfully free-flowing, idealistic,
spontaneous and carefree. Times when more energy was spent on talking and thinking about
things than actually making them happen. Where the possibility of romance and falling in love
was ever-present and the possibilities were intoxicating.
Puccini knows how to create a beguiling world, and he is a master of taking us to the emotional
core of a situation. But he is a verismo composer with an overarching interest in creating realism.
So most of the characters also have flaws and dark sides to their makeup. As the opera starts
Musetta and Marcello have already split up, and she is off with a rich older man, Alcindoro, who
she ditches when it suits her. Schaunard speaks more than he listens and Colline is in a world of
his own. Our central couple, Rodolfo and Mimì, also suffer from his excessive jealousy.
Mimì is interesting. She “accidentally” drops her key in the dark on first meeting Rodolfo and
prolongs their encounter. She doesn’t always go to Mass, but she does pray. At the end of Act I,
as the lovers come together, it’s she who is steering events, not Rodolfo. She does look around
at attractive passers by in the Café Momus, inflaming Rodolfo’s jealousy. Later, after they have
broken up, she is reported to be off in an elaborate carriage with a Marquis. Does she know that
her time is limited? She is absolutely going to make the most of every moment.
Mimì is a signature role for tonight’s soprano, INO favourite Celine Byrne. Celine sings the role
exquisitely and touchingly, and I can’t wait to hear her once again take us through the peaks
and troughs of Mimì’s tragic journey. A big welcome back for singers returning to INO: Sarah
Brady (Musetta), Gyula Nagy (Schaunard), Lukas Jakobski (Colline) and, of course, tenor
Merūnas Vitulskis, who took part in our 2021 live stream and recording. I’m also looking forward
hugely to the Irish debut of the wonderful Ukranian baritone Iurii Samoilov.
A final shout out to our amazing conductor Sergio Alapont. In 2021 he had to work with an
orchestra and a chorus spread out with two-metre distancing. The unusually long physical
distances between individual performers created a tough assignment for such intricate and
ever-changing music. Sergio worked with astonishing energy and enthusiasm, without ever a
hint of a complaint. I’m so delighted he has come back and can now work with an orchestra in
the pit and singers on the stage, just the way everything needs to be!
There are no distancing constraints in tonight’s performance. So sit back and enjoy the show.
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