Thumbs up for “La Bohème”

By Supanida S.

Drawing you to the world of the Bohemians or gypsies in Paris around 1830 when the bohemians were facing many controversies and lived in poverty. “La Bohème” the opera can make you see another scene of Bohemians’ life which is beautiful and miserable. It is the story about lives of four best friended artists who try to survive from poverty, Rodolfo, a poet, Marcello, a painter, Colline, a young philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician. The opera represents the love story of young poor couples, Rodolfo, a poet and Mimì, a seamstress and Marcello, a painter and Musetta, a singer.

La Bohème is the four acts Italian opera written by Giacomo Puccini. It is one of the most operas that have been repeatedly played. I have seen many operas since I was young. But I have to thumb up for La Bohème indeed. I love this opera because it is not the opera in the huge form but it combines all aesthetic senses; love, romantic, friendship, comedy, drama, and sadness. How amazing. I strongly recommend people who have never seen an opera before to see this opera because it is easy to understand, no need of deeper interpretation, have a flow, and the most important thing is that it is enjoyable.

La Bohème was recently performed in Thailand by the coordination between the European Chamber Opera and Bangkok Opera, took place at the Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit Hotel. I went to performance. It was great because I know that the opera societies in Thailand are not successfully supported. The budget is very low compared to other countries. However, personally, because of this limit, the director, Stefan Sanchez, the conductor, Somtow Sucharitkul and actors all used their highest potential and abilities to do their best. It was a charming and attractive performance for me. In this performance, they did not have any extravagant backdrop or even the stage was very small.

In Act one, there was only a sofa and a small table on the stage but the actors from the European Chamber Opera performed and sang really beautifully that the audiences did not give ay attention to the prop. I liked Act two the most because it was hilarious and fun. The director put perfectly queue and Musetta role sang a wonderful attractive waltz, “Quando me n’vò” or When I go along. Talking about music itself, Somtow Sucharikul, Thai conductor of Bangkok Opera had done very well with his small orchestra and choir. This made me know that this was a nice coordination between Thai Opera and the European Chamber Opera. As I could see in the last scene, which was closed with the death of Mimi and a wonderful memorable song and acting.

For those who missed this performance would not be regret because Bangkok Opera will perform “La Bohème” again this August. But this time the leading actor and actress will be Nancy Yuen and Israel Lozano which are the popular opera singing pair from Madama Butterfly. I can guarantee this upcoming performance that it would be as great as the first La Bohème because it will be under the same director, Stefan Sanchez, artistic director of European Chamber Opera, conductor, Somtow Sucharitkul, founder of Bangkok Opera, orchestra, Siam Philharmonic and Orpheus Choir. Moreover Nancy Yuen and Israel Lozano are very professional opera singers. I have seen them both in Madama Butterfly. Their voices are very powerful and beautiful also their acting. And definitely, I cannot wait to join this “La Bohème” return.