At the end of Act 2, a sudden fireworks display lifts one’s spirits. (This was not always a good effect- some of the images detracted from the action). This skylight also becomes a screen onto which are projected images appropriate to the action or reflecting the thoughts of the singers or the canvas of the painter, Marcello. The Bohemians’ attic is raised up on a platform well above street level, and behind it is a huge angled skylight window through which the audience glimpses the Eiffel Tower and the roofs of Paris. Certainly no elephants around – maybe just a few stray dogs lurking in the back streets around Café Momus! And the central love story is an intimate one between a lowly seamstress and a poverty-striken poet – so glamorous costumes are simply not appropriate! But Andy and his team (Dan Potra – set and costume designer, Marco Devetak – video designer, Tony David Cray – sound designer, Kate Champion – choreographer, and Matthew Marshall – lighting designer) came up with an inspired stage set that was striking, yet suitable. La Bohème however is not a work that is, in itself, particularly spectacular or grand – in fact, the setting is largely a small attic in Paris, and the one crowd scene is not showy like that in Aida for example. The video close-ups of the singers for the DVD means too that they must be excellent actors as well as top quality singers. It has proved a very effective way of introducing opera to many who may never have seen it previously. Spectacle and glamour, glorious singing and a much-loved opera are necessary ingredients for such productions. Reviewed by: Inge Southcott “Andy Morton’s directorial debut with the Opera Australia production of this most popular of operas has given us just the right balance of glamorous spectacle (as befits the huge outdoor setting on Sydney Harbour) and intimacy.”Īndy Morton, the director, was involved with the previous five Handa Operas so he was well aware of what was needed to provide an exciting, magical night at the opera for the audience in the magnificent Sydney Harbour setting. Artist(s): Directed by Andy Morton and conducted by Brian Castles-Onion, with Julia Maria Dan (Mimi), Ho-Yoon Chung (Rodolfo), Julie Lea Goodwin (Musetta), Samuel Dundas (Marcello), Richard Anderson (Colline), Christopher Hillier (Schaunard), John Bolton Wood (Alcindoro/Benoit), Opera Australia Chorus and Opera Australia Orchestra.
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