OPERA WESTERN RESERVE A visual 'La Boh & egrave;me'

The singer who performs as Mim & igrave; says she is moved by the opera's beauty.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- The newly formed Opera Western Reserve will soon present its second production, "La Boh & egrave;me." Giacomo Puccini's popular opera will be performed at the recently refurbished Stambaugh Auditorium on Nov. 11.
"The opera will be set in the 1890s, beginning on Christmas Eve in Paris," said David Vosburgh, stage director and scenic designer. "It was originally written to be performed in an earlier period, but now we perform it in the period it was written. The costumes will be simpler to work in: bustles rather than hoop skirts, and lots of ruffles, velvet, top hats for the men."
The set design, and especially the costumes are in the style of Toulouse-Lautrec. "He was a popular artist of the time, and painted the artists' scene -- cabarets, actors. We identify him with that place and period," Vosburgh said. "His color palette was just a little 'off.' His reds were not primary, but a little orange, his blues a little green.
"And we are so grateful to be able to perform at Stambaugh, this beautiful, gorgeous 'Parthenon.' Most small, local opera companies perform in high school auditoriums. We are starting at the top. 'La Boh & egrave;me' will be a visual experience."
Realism
And, of course, it will be an auditory and emotional experience, too, Vosburgh adds. "This opera was written in the verismo style of the late 1800s," he said. "Realism comes onstage, rather than the theatrical. People behave with normal emotions and personalities. It was the avant-garde of the time, depicting struggling artists. It is romantic, visceral, very accessible, about love, jealousy, cheating, making up. And there were shocking, racy parts for the people of the time -- people living together without being married. And these were exotic artists -- not your next-door neighbor. Puccini wrote beautiful, emotional music, glorious melodies."
"The orchestral music captures the emotional state of the characters," said Misook Yun, an associate professor at Youngstown State University, who sings the lead female role of Mim & igrave;. "The audience will recognize the characters by the melodies."
Mim & igrave;, who is a seamstress and makes artificial flowers, comes to Rodolfo's apartment to get light for her candle. While she is there, she faints, then loses her keys. When she goes homes and realizes her keys are missing, she comes back, and she and Rodolfo fall in love. Rodolfo, a struggling poet and writer, is played by Christian Sebek of New York.
By Act 3, Mim & igrave; and Rodolfo are fighting. "He is severely jealous, and Mim & igrave; talks to Marcello, a painter, and Rodolfo's best friend," says Yun. "They decide to make up and stay together, but Rodolfo wants Mim & igrave; to find a rich man who can take care of her. She is becoming ill and will eventually die of consumption. It was typical for people of the time to only live to their 30s or 40s."
Lots of movement
"This is not a 'park and bark' opera," Vosburgh said. "It will not be just standing there and singing. The performers all know their way around a stage, and will bring the characters to life."
Yun has performed this opera many times, but says she is still moved by its beauty. "It is very accessible, great for first time goers," she said. "I still cry when I listen to it. It is very emotional."
The opera will be sung in its original Italian, but with projected supertitles in English. It is not long, in four acts, but will be performed in two parts, with one intermission.
In addition to the six main roles, there will be a children's choir, from Girard City Schools, and a chorus made up of YSU theater and music students, some Youngstown Symphony Chorus members, and other community members.
The orchestra will be conducted by music director Susan Davenny Wyner, who also directs the Warren Philharmonic. "Susan is very aware of what is happening in the pit and onstage," said Vosburgh. "She also had a career as a singer at The Metropolitan Opera, so she has an appreciation and sympathy of what singers go through, and an understanding of their requirements." The opera orchestra will consist of local symphony members. In addition, John Reeks, a member of the Louisiana Philharmonic, displaced by Hurricane Katrina, will be first clarinetist.