La Bohème at Waterperry Opera Festival

   The current production of Puccini's La Bohème at Waterperry, set in 1930s England rather than 19th century Paris, is not to be missed. Using a new English translation, it offers a fresh angle on the familiar story, avoiding sentimentality. Rodolfo and Marcello are living in what appears to be an artists' colony, a hard-up existence, picturesque but shabby.

     The mundane quarrels that interrupt the romance between Rodolfo and Mimi somehow seem more noticeable in this translation and Rodolfo seems amazingly blind to the seriousness of Mimi's illness until the very last. In the role of Mimi, Faryl Smith was lyrical and tender, revelling in Puccini's soaring melodies. As Rodolfo, Robert Forrest was ardent and expressive, but I wonder if the top register of his voice was a little under the weather yesterday. 

   Patrick Dow made a powerful and robust Marcello, and as for Ceferina Penny  (https://ceferinapenny.com/) as his beloved but faithless Musetta, it is her rôle to steal the show and she certainly did. With a brilliant voice and a flamboyant manner, this British-Argentinian soprano threw herself into the part of the material girl, who loves Marcello but cannot live without the luxuries that only a wealthy lover can provide. Later when Musetta shows her caring and compassionate side, Penny altered her demeanour and tone strikingly.

 It is a clever trick to merge two characters by making the landlord double as her older protector. 

The set makes ingenious use of the façade of Waterperry House, with a sweeping staircase built from ground level to the first floor balcony, where a very louche party takes place in Act II. The orchestra, conducted by Bertie Baigent, did full justice to Puccini's richly atmospheric score with its mood swings and sensuality.

  Waterperry is our local Opera Festival in the Oxford area, and has many attractions, apart from the handsome Georgian house with its gardens, where you can dine or picnic during the interval. The programme of the festival includes a variety of performances and events, instrumental concerts and intimate recitals as well as operas. Old and new composers, emerging artists, interactive events and concerts for children make for a crowded week of musical fun. La Bohème is on all week and so is The Elixir of Love. To buy any remaining tickets, see their website:-

https://purchase.waterperryoperafestival.co.uk/Events? 

CAST

Rodolfo: Robert Forrest

Mimi: Faryl Smith

Marcello: Patrick Dow

Musetta: Ceferina Penny

Schaunard: Owain Rowlands

Colline: Alaric Green

Benoit: Oskar McCarthy

YOUNG ARTIST CHORUS

Soprano: Lucy Breakwell

Soprano: Tia Radix-Callixte

Mezzo Soprano: Cerys Herbert-Stott

Tenor: Tom Law

Baritone: Will Jowett

ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION

Conductor: Bertie Baigent

Director: Ruth Knight

Set & Costume Designer: Jennifer Gregory

Lighting Designer: Ben Pickersgill

Assistant Set Designer: Hannah Kuchar

Movement Director: Taira Foo

Young Artist Assistant Director: Anne Sutton

Head of Music: Ashley Beauchamp

Répétiteur: George Ireland / Aleksandra Myslek

Production Manager: Sean Laing

Associate Production Manager: Thomas J. Quine

Stage Manager: Andrew Holton

Deputy Stage Manager: Phoebe Francis

Assistant Stage Manager: Emily Pettican

Costume Supervisor: Jade Newman Turner

Sound No.1: Nicolo Conti

Sound No.2: Harvey Graham

Photography by Julian Guidera