by MK
Arguably the most famous opera of all time, Puccini’s masterwork is renowned for its celebrated melodies and unforgettable characters. Glitter, silk and perfumes filled the foyer as the crowd gathered for the second opera of the 2022-2023 season at the Verdi theater.
The opera, which has a wealth of famous moments including the famed love scene between Rodolfo and Mimì that includes two arias (one for each) and a clinching love duet, “O soave fanciulla,” was performed without missing a beat by a group of young and very close-knit artists.
This production, conducted by the great Maestro Christopher Franklin celebrates in the best possible way Puccini’s genius a couple of months before the anniversary of the world premiere of La Bohème at the Teatro Regio in Turin on February 1, 1896.
The acclaimed tenor Alessandro Di Luzio had been scheduled to star in the role of Rodolfo, but an unexpected health problem forced him to withdraw. Azer Zada, a Baku (Azerbaijan) native, was called in on short notice and sang on the opening night to enthusiastic ovations, making his Trieste Verdi theater debut alongside soprano Lavinia Bini as Mimi.
