One of the world’s most frequently-perfomed operas is coming to Kelowna and it’s set in the dark of winter.
Opera Kelowna presents Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème, Aug. 18 and 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
The romantic, heart-wrenching tale follows a close-knit circle of poets, painters and performers who struggle for art and love amidst poverty and hardship.
Though La bohème was originally set in the 1830s, the company’s production draws on the fashion and style of the 1920s to craft a unique and compelling aesthetic.
“The cultural impact of La bohème is undeniable. Its story inspired the broadway hit Rent; its music resonates across dozens of films and it birthed our romantic vision of the starving artist,” said artistic director Alexandra Babbel.
“All of this is for good reason. Puccini’s exquisite score speaks to our very hearts, eliciting fiery passion, pangs of melancholy, and joie de vivre in equal measure. We are thrilled to share our vision of this iconic work with Okanagan audiences.”
Based on Henri Murger’s 1851 novel, Scenes from the Bohemian Life, the opera is set in the frigid cold of a Paris winter. Its narrative follows the intertwined lives and loves of a small group of friends: the poet, Rodolfo, the seamstress Mimi, the painter Marcello, the musician Schaunard, the philosopher Colline, and the coquette Musetta.
A series of free concerts and community engagements will support and inform La bohème’s run. Details can be found on Opera Kelowna’s website.
