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Credits
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica based on Henry Murger’s novel Scenes de la vie de bohème
Production Stage Director: Vladimir Kekhman
Music Director and Production Conductor: Mikhail Tatarnikov
Stage Director: Yulia Prokhorova
Set Designer: Vyacheslav Okunev
Costume Designer: Anna Efremova
Lighting Designer: Valentin Bakoyan
Video Designer: Vadim Dulenko
Choreographer: Alexander Omar
Chief Choirmaster: Maria Moiseenko
Choirmaster: Sergey Tenitilov
Conductor: Philip Selivanov
Assistants to music director and conductor: Alexey Babushkin, Khetag Tedeev
Assistants to production stage director: Igor Bondarenko, Nikolay Natsybulin
Responsible accompanists: Olga Bochkareva, Inna Peters
Assistant directors: Asel Zueva, Anna Penkina, Lyubov Shakirova
2 hours and 10 minutes
one intermission
performed in Italian (accompanied by simultaneous credits in Russian)
The stage director of the performance, Vladimir Kekhman, reinterpreted the classic plot, looking at it through the eyes of a man of the 21st century. As in Vladimir Kekhman's previous works, the drama will focus on the tragedy of simple human destinies.
Does love and friendship exist in a bohemian circle, or is there only the pretense of a relationship in this world? Will the heroes be able to realize themselves or will they die before they can create something truly great?
Thanks to the stage director's special view of the musical theatre, the feelings and relationships of the opera's characters will be revealed from new angles. And the romantic atmosphere of Paris and the great music by Puccini will only emphasize the deep spiritual transformation that they will have to experience.
ACT I
Scene 1
La Bohème
An apartment in Paris. Poet Rodolfo and painter Marcello are trying to recollect themselves after a party and get straight to work. The friends play light-hearted jokes on each other: Marcello lights a fireplace with Rodolfo's manuscript. They are joined by philosopher Colline and musician Schaunard. The latter comes with the company of girls and offers to continue the party. The arrival of the apartment's owner, Benoit, interrupts the fun, but the friends cheerfully prank him and send him away without paying.
Everyone except Rodolfo goes to the restaurant. Suddenly Mimi appears in the room. She is so unlike the frivolous bohemian beauties that Rodolfo is charmed at first sight. He confesses his love to the girl and hears a confession in return.
Scene 2
Je t’aime
The Latin Quarter. There is an atmosphere of fun and permissiveness here. Musetta appears. She left Marcello once, but she still loves him. Marcello, wanting revenge, pretends not to notice her. Musetta is angered by the indifference of her former beloved, and she approaches him on her own. Marcello can't resist her charms.
ACT II
Scene 3
La Vie en rose
After some time, Mimi comes to Marcello for advice: she is still in love, but Rodolfo is tired of this relationship. By showing Mimi another life, the young man was not ready to take responsibility for what bohemian life had done to the girl. Marcello and Musetta's love doesn't stand up to the test either. Marcello accuses Musetta of being frivolous and mercantile, and their quarrel ends in a final breakup.
Scene 4
Ne me quitte pas...
Marcello and Rodolfo sadly remember their sweethearts; Colline and Schaunard try to lighten the mood. Suddenly, Musetta appears, alarmed. The girl brought Mimi, who is so ill that she can barely stand on her feet. Friends try their best to help the girl, but Mimi can no longer be saved...