Opera Talk: La Boheme (Virtual)

The world premiere of Puccini’s “La Boheme” in Turin, Italy was  not a critical success, although the public was a bit more receptive. Only a single critic wrote a favorable review. One negative article “predicted that “Boheme” would have a small influence on the history of opera and might be dismissed by its composer as a momentary mistake.”

After Turin “Boheme” would not immediately become a staple of the operatic repertory. It had its La Scala premiere in 1897, was revived  in 1900 and then not performed there  until 1916. Similarly, Bologna, first heard it in 1896 and then not again until twenty years later.

Outside of Italy, “Boheme” would also take time to establish itself in the repertories of major opera houses in Austria, England, France and Germany. And yet, by 2023, the Metropolitan Opera had produced it nearly 1400 times! If only those early critics and theatre general managers could be alive today to see how misguided they had been!!

Jeffrey Engel will  detail the history of Puccini’s fourth opera and play recorded excerpts from it.

We will offer in-person options at Prosser for future Opera Talks when we are able to do so.