Giacomo Puccini

La bohème

Puccini's classic opera toured nationwide from 13 May - 3 June. A chance encounter in a freezing attic results in a red-hot affair between penniless poet Rodolfo and innocent seamstress Mimi. But will their love be strong enough to survive against the odds? La bohème follows a group of friends as they struggle as artists in Paris in 1930.  Puccini’s timeless classic promises a breathtaking experience for newcomers and opera fans alike, with ravishing music and thrilling arias and ensembles.  

Ben Barnes (the founding Artistic Director of OTC) directed a sterling cast of Irish and international singers, including rising star soprano Máire Flavin as Mimi, Argentinian tenor Pablo Bemsch as Rodolfo, Sinéad Campbell-Wallace as Musetta, Charles Rice as Marcello, Rory Musgrave as SchaunardPadraic Rowan as Colline, Adrian Clarke as Alcindoro/Benoit and Patrick Hyland as Parpignol, together with a professional chorus of twelve and a thirteen member chamber orchestra conducted by Andrew Greenwood. Designed by Joe Vaněk with lighting design by John Comiskey and movement direction by Libby Seward.  La bohème was sung in Italian with English surtitles.

 

OTC has a long history of developing Irish talent with programmes such as the Young Artist Association. This performance gave a platform for three graduates of this programme, Máire Flavin, Padraic Rowan and Patick Hyland, with the addition of Rory Musgrave who is an artist in the OTC Opera Hub.

9 Venue Nationwide Tour

Friday 13 May Dublin O'Reilly Theatre Belvedere College
Sunday 15 May Dublin O'Reilly Theatre Belvedere College
Tue 17 May Limerick Lime Tree Theatre
Thurs 19 May Wexford National Opera House
Sun 22 May Ennis Glor
Wed 25 May Letterkenny An Grianan
Fri 27 May Navan Solstice Arts Centre
Mon 30 May Kilkenny Watergate Theatre
Wed 01 June Galway Town Hall Theatre
Fri 3 June Sligo Hawk's Well Theatre

"Flavin, a soprano, excelled; her voice a force of nature that swept through the aisles. Rice also convinced as the artist tormented by the flirtatious Musetta, portrayed by Sinead Campbell-Wallace. The perfectly pitched music was provided by a small orchestra bathed in dim lighting, capturing the brooding on-stage drama."
Sunday Times
"The leads are strongly taken: Máire Flavin is a multifaceted Mimi and Pablo Bemsch a heroic-sounding Rodolfo."
Irish Times
"ingenious"
Irish Independent
"dramatically compelling ... classy production *****"
Irish Examiner
"Outstanding"
Golden Plec

Production Information

Cast

Mimi Máire Flavin
Rodolfo Pablo Bemsch
Musetta Sinéad Campbell-Wallace
Marcello Charles Rice
Colline Padraic Rowan
Schaunard Rory Musgrave
Alcindoro/Benoit Adrian Clarke
Parpignol Patrick Hyland

Creative Team

Conductor Andrew Greenwood
Director Ben Barnes
Designer Joe Vaněk
Lighting Designer John Comiskey
Movement Director Libby Seward


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