La Bohème

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Opera Hong Kong’s first full-scale production for 2023 will be Puccini’s La Bohème, to be staged in the Grand theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from the 12th to 15th of January 2023. La Bohème is one of the most staged operas across the world. This production will inaugurates collaboration between Opera Hong Kong and well-known director and theatre educator Mr Tang Shu-wing, which see this opera classic set in 19th century-Paris is transposed to Hong Kong in a contemporary setting.

Originally set in the Latin Quarter in Paris, La Bohème tells the story of young people in the process of self-discovery between feckless youth and adult responsibility. The main storyline revolves around the tragic love between Rodolfo the poet and Mimi the seamstress. Earning only a pittance, the two meet in a humble abode. Later, owing to Rudolfo’s jealousy, they part ways only to make up just before Mimi’s death. Marcello the artist is the most appealing character in the opera – everyone would welcome and love such a true and helpful friend as him. The other soprano is the coquettish and sassy Musetta. Although she is always giving Marcello a hard time, she is certainly not “unworthy of forgiveness” as self-indicted in her last prayer for Mimi. Puccini makes us believe that as long as there is hope, life will change for the better. Everyone who has loved, or yearned for love, will not be untouched after watching this opera. La Bohème is, despite its heart-breaking denouement, a celebration of what it means to be alive.

Premiered in 1896, this opera’s exquisite music and rigorous four-act structure have made it one of the most popular Italian operas of all time. Its close-knit string of arias, duets, trios and quartets, with Rodolfo’s Che gelida manina (What a cold little hand) and Mimi’s Si, mi chiamano Mimi (Yes, they call me Mimì) being the most well-known examples, are familiar tunes for opera aficionados.

Director Tang Shu-wing will adopt a unique approach to swap the outward features of this opera for a Hong Kong setting. Apart from its fresh appeal, the audience will also be more ready to resonate with the music and story. Opera Hong Kong has rising stars emerging talents from Hong Kong, mainland China and across the world to portray these characters from every day, making the dramatis personae even more relatable to us for convincing characterization.

An Opera in Four Acts
Performed in Italian with Chinese and English Surtitles

12 – 15 Jan at 19:45