Glyndebourne Festival. Opera by D. Puccini "La Bohème"

The Glyndebourne Festival presents Giacomo Puccini’s *La bohème* in a production by Floris Visser, who transforms this familiar tale into a stark meditation on mortality and love. Minimalist in design and set against a brightly lit backdrop inspired by 1920s Paris, the production evokes a world on the brink of collapse. A silent figure representing Death follows Mimì everywhere, lending the opera an eerie emotional intensity.

The Glyndebourne Festival is an annual summer event held at the Glyndebourne estate in England. It is considered one of the most prestigious events in the opera world.

Paris, Christmas Eve.

Amidst the biting December cold, the poet Rodolfo and the painter Marcello decide to burn Rodolfo’s latest play to keep warm. They are joined by their friends—the philosopher Colline and the musician Schaunard—who unexpectedly arrives with food, wine, fuel, and money. Schaunard suggests celebrating Christmas at the Café Momus in the Latin Quarter. The others head there, but Rodolfo decides to stay behind to finish an article he is working on.

He is interrupted by his neighbor, Mimì, whose candle has gone out. He attempts to help her, but she suddenly faints. When she comes to, Rodolfo relights her candle. Mimì realizes she has lost her key, and the candle goes out a second time. Rodolfo’s candle also goes out, leaving them both in the dark. As she searches for the key, he notices how cold her hand is and offers to warm it in his own. He tells her about his life and shares his dreams with her. In turn, she tells him how lonely her life is. They confess their love for each other and head to Café Momus.

On the way to the Café Momus, Rodolfo buys Mimì a bonnet and then, feeling nervous, introduces her to his friends. Musetta, Marcello’s former lover, enters the café with an air of importance, accompanied by her wealthy new suitor, Alcindoro. Determined to catch Marcello’s eye, Musetta sings a song about how impossible it is to resist her charms. She sends Alcindoro away on a pretext and throws herself into Marcello’s arms. The friends quickly slip away, leaving the unsuspecting Alcindoro to foot the bill.

Dawn breaks. Mimì arrives at the tavern looking for Marcello. She begins to cough. She pours out her heart to Marcello, explaining how Rodolfo is making their lives miserable with his obsessive jealousy, and asks Marcello to help them separate.

When Rodolfo emerges from the tavern, she hides. Rodolfo confesses to Marcello that he actually wants to leave because Mimì is dying—a fate caused by the poverty he subjected her to. He is tormented by guilt. Mimì overhears their conversation and cries out; Rodolfo comforts her. They decide to wait until spring to part ways.

Marcello and Rodolfo try to work, but both are dejected and out of sorts. When Schaunard and Colline arrive with a meager supper, the group resolves to keep their spirits up. But just as the merriment begins, Musetta bursts in. She has brought Mimì with her. Mimì is dying. The friends leave to fetch medicine and a doctor. Left alone, Mimì and Rodolfo confess their love for one another. The others return, and a commotion ensues. Mimì dies unnoticed. A heartbroken Rodolfo cries out her name.

CAST:

Rodolfo – Long Long,

Marcello – Daniel Scofield,

Colline – Ivo Stanchev,

Schaunard – Lutando Kave,

Benoît – Richard Suart,

Mimì – Yaritzá Véliz,

Death / Parpignol – Christopher Lemmings,

Musetta – Vuvu Mpofu,

Alcindoro – Daren Jeffery,

Customs Officer – Matthew Nuttall,

Police Sergeant – John Mackenzie-Lavansch;

London Philharmonic Orchestra,

Conductor – Jordan de Souza;

Glyndebourne Festival Chorus.

Glyndebourne Estate near Lewes (East Sussex), 2022.