WGO brings La Boheme to Wichita and Overland Park
Puccini’s La Boheme is one of the most popular operas in the world. How popular? It was the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical Rent. Wichita Grand Opera brings its new production of Puccini’s masterpiece to the stage in October for two performances, one at Wichita’s Century II Concert hall, and one at Overland Park’s Carlsen Center.
It is 1830 in Paris and the rent is due, but the money is not there. Puccini's unforgettable tale of love, youth and tragic loss returns in a classic production of La Bohème, starring legendary baritone and Kansas-born Samuel Ramey. Young Parisian lovers (Zvetelina Vassileva and Stefan Cifolelli) appear in the bohemian setting that brings the Latin Quarter to life and twists a tale of love that sparkles with merriment and ends wracked with despair. Puccini's magical music will fascinate and move.
In addition to Ramey, Rodolfo, a poet, is sung by tenor Cifolelli. Mimi, a seamstress, is sung by Vassileva.
Laura Alley is the Stage Director for the production, and Martin Mazik is the Conductor.
La Boheme is based on the novel Scenes de la vie Boheme by Henri Murger. It premiered in Turin, Italy in 1896. It is sung in Italian with English supertitles.
The Wichita performance is Saturday, October 1, at 7 p.m. in Century II Concert Hall. Tickets for that performance range from $37 to $85 and can be purchased online at www.WichitaGrandOpera.org, by phone at (316) 262-8054 or in person at the Century II Concert Hall box office.
The Overland Park performance is October 15 at 8 p.m. at Yardley Hall. Tickets are $38 - $55 and may be purchased at www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/ or by phone at (913) 469-4445.
Copyright 2016 The Gayly – September 24, 2016 @ 10:45 a.m.