Strong cast lifts conventional Bohème revival at the Royal Opera House

Juan Diego Flórez (Rodolfo)
& Ailyn Pérez (Mimì)
© ROH/Marc Brenner

Kevin John Edusei (Conductor)

Richard Jones (Director)

Danielle Urbas (Revival Director)

Stewart Laing (Designer)

Mimi Jordan Sherin (Lighting Designer)

Sarah Fahie (Movement Director)

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Vasko Vassilev (Principal Guest Concert Master)

Royal Opera Chorus

William Spaulding (Chorus Director)

Andrey Zhilikhovsky (Marcello)

Juan Diego Flórez (Rodolfo)

Michael Mofidian (Colline)

Ross Ramgobin (Schaunard)

Jeremy White (Benoît)

Ailyn Pérez (Mimì)

Andrew Macnair (Parpignol)

Danielle de Niese (Musetta)

Wyn Pencarreg (Alcindoro)

John Morrissey (Customs Officer)

Thomas Barnard (Sergeant)

La bohème, Act 2
© ROH/Marc Brenner

Co-production with Teatro Real, Madrid & Lyric Opera of Chicago

Friday 14 October 2022

Royal Opera House, London

★★★

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924): La bohème

(libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henry Murger)

Andrey Zhilikhovsky (Marcello) & Ailyn Pérez (Mimì)
© ROH/Marc Brenner

'A Chaplinesque Flórez lingering effortlessly (borderline indulgently – but if you’ve got it…) on his glorious top notes, and Pérez highly convincing with tender warmth and innocence building to rich passionately rich tones.'

'Danielle de Niese (Musetta) created much needed movement and colour here, with some precarious table-top attention grabbing. Her Musetta was light and playful.'

Juan Diego Flórez (Rodolfo) & Ailyn Pérez (Mimì)
© ROH/Marc Brenner

'Flórez and Pérez’s passionate ‘shall we, shan’t we?’ dilemma was evident and convincing, and Andrey Zhilikovsky’s Marcello developed into a more well-rounded character here, with a clear bond between him and Rodolfo, as well as jealous frustration with Musetta.'

'Flórez captured well Rodolfo’s slightly clueless final dawning of reality, and Pérez was equally moving – ... the final result packed the requisite punch.'

'On balance, a strong cast, and a visually stimulating Act 2, with fine playing throughout, once dynamically under control, from the orchestra. But for a more believable and convincing ensemble, despite its bleaker setting, Team Glyndebourne wins out for me.'

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.