When most people think of “La Bohème,” I’d wager sadness and death come to mind. But Opera Orlando has imbued Puccini’s 1895 opera with laughter and life.
Amazing what a change of scene can do.
The opera company has relocated this “La Bohème” from 19th-century Paris to 1930s Shanghai, and it’s a move that pays off. If you’re going to break with tradition in this way, the goal should be for the audience to glean something new from the work — and this production shows “La Bohème” in a new light.
The story has always touched on multiple issues: The importance of artists living their dreams, the sacrifices of love, the obstacles poverty presents. As a refresher, in the show impoverished poet Rodolfo falls for Mimi, who is in poor health. His roommate, starving artist Marcello, has his eye on the beautiful Musetta. The audience follows the couples and their friends through almost a year of change, beginning on Christmas Eve.
Director Grant Preisser constantly reinforces the idea that life is worth living every moment. He plays up the banter among the friends and keeps his actors in motion — they are really charging through life.
The pals of “La Boheme,” played by Younggwang Park (from left at rear), SeungHyeon Baek, Donghoon Kang and Yi Li, have fun with their landlord (Paul Chwe Michul An, foreground) in Opera Orlando’s production of “La Boheme.” (Courtesy Ashleigh Ann Gardner via Opera Orlando)
Costumer designer Jen J. Madison is less lively in her work, which clads the cast in mostly muted grays and tans. Only Musetta pops with a bright red dress, and a musician character sports a red vest — but on the whole these are surprisingly drab bohemians.
Preisser’s scenic design has Asiatic touches but is mostly straightforward: Marcello and Rodolfo still live in a shabby garret, the cafe visited by the friends is more an elegant dance club. The most striking set is Shanghai’s Eastern Water Gate, where a snowfall enhances the sense of time passing, the beauty of life — and the unwelcome chill of sickness and death.
That set is home to the most beautiful singing from Bizhou Chang and Yi Li, as star-crossed lovers Mimi and Rodolfo. The two are in fine voice throughout the show; he hits the high tenor notes with musicality, not just bombast; she produces a sound of graceful power and makes it seem effortless.
Musetta is played with sparkle and power by Ruoxi Bian in Opera Orlando’s production of “La Boheme.” (Courtesy Ashleigh Ann Gardner via Opera Orlando)
But in Act 3, in front of that gate, as Chang sings “Let’s part without bitterness” and Li’s Rodolfo passionately explains why he must leave Mimi for her own good, an emotional depth is generated beyond the musical notes. Glorious.
SeungHyeon Baek makes the most of Marcello’s comic scenes without sacrificing the purity of the music, and Ruoxi Bian serves a saucy “Musetta’s Waltz” with sparkle in her eye. Younggwang Park and Donghoon Kang offer solid vocal support as fellow bohemians, and Paul Chwe Minchul An deftly provides early comic relief as a befuddled landlord.
Later comic relief comes from managing director Gabriel Preisser, who makes what could be considered an extended cameo as a foppish suitor of Musetta — who’s always two steps behind her schemes.
Donghoon Kang (from left), Younggwang Park, Bizhou Chang and SeungHyeon Baek share a scene in Opera Orlando’s production of “La Boheme.” (Courtesy Ashleigh Ann Gardner via Opera Orlando)
Conductor Allan R. Scott leads the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra through the glorious score with feeling, the music swelling right along with the emotion in a listener’s heart. And the lusty chorus makes a big impression; in addition to their vocal ability, you’ve never seen a such a large ensemble clear a stage so fast.
In the end, the China setting makes the story feel more universal, and the 1930s time period — knowing the devastation awaiting the world — signals a worthy, if disquieting, message loud and clear: In deteriorating times with an uncertain future, live like there’s no tomorrow. Because there might not be.
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment or sign up to receive our weekly emailed Entertainment newsletter.
‘La Bohème’
Length: 2:20, including intermission
Where: Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando
When: Final performance at 2 p.m. Oct. 5
Cost: $22.42 and up
Info: drphillipscenter.org
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/04/opera-orlando-la-boheme-review/
