What: Houston Grand Opera presents La bohème as the second offering in its fall repertoire back in the Wortham Theater Center.
Join the bohemian revolution in the heart of Paris as groups of artists live life to the fullest, make art, and fall in love. A chance encounter on a winter night changes everything for Mimì and Rodolfo, sending them into a deep, romantic whirlwind that brings audiences opera’s most beloved love story-Puccini’s La bohème.
The return of this stunning production directed by John Caird tells the classic tale through scenic elements inspired by Marcello’s paintings. Featuring some of opera’s most famous music, La bohème brings to life the hope, thrill, and heartbreak of true love.
Photo credit Cory Weaver
The opera, in four acts, will be sung in Italian with projected English translation. This is a co-production of Houston Grand Opera, Canadian Opera Company and the San Francisco Opera
Who: Nicole Heaston, the Houston-based soprano and HGO alumna who won acclaim in her role as Adina in HGO’s 2016 The Elixir of Love, makes a much-anticipated role debut as Mimì. Italian tenor Ivan Magrì will sing Rodolfo. This season, he debuts at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice as Alfredo in La traviata and at Den Norske Opera in Oslo as Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. Two former HGO Studio artists will also make professional role debuts: Korean soprano Pureum Jo will appear as Musetta, following noted appearances as Dai Yu in the 2016 world premiere of Bright Sheng’s Dream of the Red Chamber at San Francisco Opera; Marcello will be portrayed by baritone Michael Sumuel, who sang Belcore in HGO’s 2016 Elixir of Love. Argentine bass-baritone and HGO Studio alumnus Federico De Michelis will sing Colline. Opera News praised his “deep-voiced authority” as Thomas Betterton in HGO’s 2016 world premiere of Carlisle Floyd’s Prince of Players.
La boheme, Photo credit Cory Weaver
Grammy-nominated conductor James Lowe, an HGO Studio alumnus who has led multiple Broadway productions including the recent revivals of “Les Misérables” and “Anything Goes” as well as HGO’s 2015 Sweeney Todd, will be on the podium.
An alternate cast will perform on Nov.11, including four gifted HGO Studio artists. These singers include Nardus Williams as Mimì; Yongzhao Yu singing Rodolfo; Thomas Glass in the role of Marcello, and Yelena Dyachek singing Musetta.
When: Friday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m.
Saturday, Nov.3, at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov.10, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov.11, at 2 p.m.
Where: Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave.
Tariff: Tickets range from $20 to $270. For more information and to buy tickets, visit HGO.org<https://www.houstongrandopera.org/> or call the box office at 713-228-6737.
About Houston Grand Opera
Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is one of the largest, most innovative, and most highly acclaimed opera companies in the United States. HGO was the only American finalist for Opera Company of the Year at the 2017 International Opera Awards. In fulfilling its mission to advance the operatic art to serve an ever-evolving audience, HGO has led the field in commissioning new works (65 world premieres to date) and in training and nurturing promising young artists and administrators. The company contributes to the cultural enrichment of Houston and the nation through a diverse and innovative program of performances, community events, and education projects that reaches the widest possible public. HGO’s pioneering community engagement initiative, HGOco, has served as a model for other arts organizations.
The NEXUS Initiative is HGO’s multi-year ticket underwriting program that allows Houstonians of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy opera without the barrier of price. Since 2007, NEXUS has enabled more than 250,000 Houstonians to experience superlative opera through discounted single tickets and subscriptions, subsidized student performances, and free productions.
HGO has toured extensively and has won a Tony, two Grammy awards, and three Emmy awards. It is the only opera company to win all three honors.