LA BOHÈME – PUCCINI
Presented on Mar 30, Apr 1, 3 at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin as part of the Dublin Grand Opera Society’s Spring Season
Maria Angela Rosati – Mimi
Flaviano Labò – Rodolfo
Ann Moran – Musetta
Mario d’Anna – Marcello
Helge Bömches – Colline
Maurizio Piacenti – Schaunard
Alberto Carusi – Benoit / Alcindoro
Napoleone Annovazzi – Conductor
Sanzio Levratti – Producer
Listen to this production here:
“Boheme” was a magical evening in the theatre and the memory has stayed with me long after I’ve long forgotten others. Puccini might have tailored the role of Rodolfo for Labo. The voice was smooth, expressive and notable for its musical sensitivity. There was spontaneous applause as he ended his first big aria, ‘Che Gelida Manina’ and this was followed by more rapturous applause after he and soprano Maria Angela Rosati had sung the love duet at the end of the act. From there on Labo could do no wrong. His Rodolfo remains the best I have ever heard. At the final curtain he was accorded the kind of reception once reserved for Silveri, Stignani, Mancini, Borso and Cappuccilli. Irish soprano Ann Moran sang an impressive Musetta, displaying a secure and sweet-toned soprano and natural acting ability, while Mario d’Anna looked a youthful Marcello. Helge Bomches made a totally credible Colline. This is a “Boheme” vividly remembered by choristers like Paddy Brennan – a great admirer of Labo’s voice – John Carney and Barry Hodkinson.
(Extracted from “Love and Music: The Glorious History of the Dublin Grand Opera Society” by Gus Smith, 1998)
Opera in Ireland 