The Lowry, Salford – 13 November 2019
Reviewed by Charlotte McWilliam
4****
Phyllida Lloyd and Opera North treat us to a perfectly up to date performance of Puccini’s La Boheme. Set in Paris in the 1960s the production features an international cast including some of today’s most promising young artists. Ukranian baritone, Yuriy Yurchuk, shines as Marcello during the opening scene. Later met by his partner in crime Anush Hovhannisyan as the seductress, Musetta. Hovhannisyan captures the audience with her dominating entry portraying Musetta’sflirty persona effortlessly. The use of the Opera North Children’s Chorus during act 1 is such a fun addition bringing smiles to the faces of audience members.
During act two the lead roles really come into their own. Eleazar Rodriguez as the love struck Rodolfo and Lauren Fagen as the ill-fated Mimi relax and this really shines through in their singing. Fagen’s rounded and full soprano voice really takes precedence during the duet. Anthony Ward has chosen a simple approach to the set design, which oozes modernity, perfectly complimenting Lloyd’s direction.
Act 3 opens with a bright and uplifting set. Later in the act we see the clever comic partnership of Ward and Lloyd return as Musetta’s face is revealed behind French flags. The bond between Fagen and Rodriguez continues to grow ever stronger towards the end of the final act. The audience are now mesmerised by the story even to the extent that Mimi’s ailment (her cough) has now spread throughout the stalls or maybe it’s just the time of year.
Bravo opera North! A wonderfully modern yet traditional take on one of Puccini’s finest works.