A LARGE and appreciative Port Macquarie audience was treated to a cinematic experience of The Metropolitan Opera’s production of La Bohème last Friday, 27 March at The Glasshouse.
Puccini’s “La Bohème” was first performed in 1896 in Turin, with The Met Opera’s 2025 version described by the New York Times as an “awe-inspiring spectacle”.
It is one of the most performed operas in the world, telling a timeless story of love, friendship and loss familiar across the globe.
“We were delighted to welcome over 260 patrons to enjoy this magical screening of the Met Opera,” said Bec Washington, Curator, Glasshouse SELECT Theatre Program.
“The screening provided the unique opportunity to experience an opera of scale in intimate detail and comments from our patron survey were testament to this.”
Patron survey comments included:
“Seeing such a quality world class production was amazing and I never dreamt I would be so fortunate.”
“Having such a huge stage and a large orchestra, a big pit and a fabulous conductor was the most thrilling Glasshouse experience.”
Central characters Rudolfo (English tenor Freddie De Tommaso) and Mimi (Armenian soprano Juliana Grigoryan), were both played by emerging stars singing their first leads on The Met Opera stage.
Franco Zeffirelli’s production debuted in 1981 and is still as grand and powerful as it was then.
The Port Macquarie audience was drawn to the lyrical and emotional music, in particular well-known arias “Che gelida manina” and “Mi chiamano Mimi”.
The spectacle of the Café Momus scene drew audible gasps and applause as it always does in the theatre.
Audience members during the interval were keen to discuss the music, the lavish sets and the emotional plot, describing it as “goosebump material”.
Audience member Wendy Byron said, “We are so lucky to have access to this amazing production here in Port Macquarie.
“I was moved to tears by the story and the music.”
Many attendees have made sure they are booked in for Opera Australia’s “Don Giovanni” in August.
By Pauline CAIN
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