Pittsfield — Following its critically acclaimed 2022 season, Berkshire Opera Festival (BOF) is back with a new adaptation of Giacomo Puccini’s beloved “La Bohème” August 26, August 29, and September 1 at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield.
One needn’t be an opera aficionado to remember themes from “La bohème.” Its most famous songs are as ubiquitous as a McDonald’s jingle. For example, most people instantly recognize “Quando m’en vo,” also known as “Musetta’s Waltz,” sung here by Anna Netrebko with the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic. The character of Musetta, typically portrayed by a pretty and flirty young soprano, sings the aria in the opera’s second act.
If you have attended any BOF production, you know the company has a reputation for engaging some of the best vocalists in the business.
Here is the cast for “La Bohème”:
Musetta is portrayed by Véronique Filloux, whom Opera News has praised for her “expressive, lovingly shaded soprano” and “dazzling coloratura and lithe stage presence…”
Playing the character of Mimi, Whitney Morrison is known for her “big, gleaming soprano” (Chicago Classical Review) and “vocally sumptuous” performances (Chicago Tribune). Morrison’s performance style blends classical vocal technique with elements of gospel. Opera News wrote of her recent performance in “Lawrence Brownlee and Friends,” “Whitney Morrison was simply astonishing in everything she sang. … This is a voice we need to hear live.”
Yongzhao Yu plays Rodolfo, a role he has sung for Houston Grand Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Arizona Opera, and covered for The Metropolitan Opera, having made his Met debut as Flavio in Bellini’s “Norma.”
Baritone Benjamin Taylor plays Marcello. Taylor earned a Master of Music degree from Boston University, where he earned a Performer’s Certificate with BU’s Opera Institute, having performed the roles of Demetrius in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Guglielmo” in “Così fan tutte,” and other roles.
Playing the role of Colline, bass-baritone Evan Lazdowski graduated recently from Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Voice Performance. He currently studies at the Juilliard School, where he will earn a Master of Music degree in Classical Voice Performance.
Recently taking on the baritone solo part in the Columbus Symphony’s production of Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” Ethan Vincent plays Schaunard in BOF’s “La Bohème.” He has played the roles of Germont in “La Traviata”; Méphistophélès in Berlioz’s “La damnation de Faust”; Escamillo in “Carmen”; and many other roles with such companies as Opera Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, and Opera Naples.
Bass-baritone James Demler plays Benoit/Alcindoro. Demler is known for his versatile range of repertory that spans the genres of opera, oratorio, concert, and popular music. He has been an annual favorite with Boston’s Odyssey Opera, with recent roles as Jov in Dvorak’s “Dimitrij”; Pietro de Wissant in Donizetti’s “L’Assedio di Calais”; Geronte in Gounod’s “Le Medecin Malgre Lui”; and, most recently, Earl of Arundel in the world premiere of Arnold Rosner’s “Chronicle of Nine.”
Dramaturg Cori Ellison will give a free pre-performance talk on Saturday, August 26, at 12 p.m. (11:45 a.m. doors) for all ticket holders.
See Berkshire Opera Festival’s production of Giacomo Puccini’s “La Bohème” at the Colonial Theatre on Saturday, August 26, at 1 p.m.; Tuesday, August 29, at 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, September 1, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets from $20 to $120 are available through the Colonial Theatre box office.
