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MEDIA RELEASE Puccini|DirectedbyGaleEdwards|ConductedbyPietroRizzo

Universally-loved production of La Bohème returns to the Melbourne stage 7–24Nov|StateTheatre,ArtsCentreMelbourneStarring|MaijaKovalevska|YosepKang|JaneEde|ChristopherTonkinOpera Australia is delighted to welcome back to Arts Centre Melbourne, one of its most popular productions and one of the world’s all-time favourite operas, Puccini’s La Bohème.

The inspiration behind the musical Rent, Puccini’s classic continues to enchant audiences with its soaring music, lush sets, beautiful costumes and heady mix of comedy and tragedy.

Celebrated Italian maestro Pietro Rizzo makes his Melbourne debut, leading a world-class cast featuring Latvian soprano Maija Kovalevska who will bring her poignancy and grace to the role of Mimì that she has played to great acclaim in some of the world’s finest opera houses, including The Met in New York.

"The Latvian soprano Maija Kovalevska is an exceptional Mimi. She brings a plush, warm voice and wistful expressivity to her singing. A lovely woman and a sensitive actress, she brought out Mimi’s sweetness while suggesting that this character is ready to embrace love impulsively because she senses life slipping away from her"

Review on the performance in The Metropolitan Opera. Jan 2014 The New York times (Tommasini)

Alongside her will be acclaimed Korean tenor Yosep Kang in the role of the somewhat naïve Rodolfo, much loved Australian soprano Jane Ede as Musetta and Melbourne local, booming baritone Christopher Tonkin reprises his role of Marcello.

This glittering production set in the chaos of street fairs and burlesque bars of 1930’s Berlin, provides the perfect setting for the heart-wrenching love story, filled with the familiar arias of Puccini’s most famous opera.

“Che Gelida Manina” sung by Rodolfo to Mimi in the first act is famous for its high C, while “Musetta’s Waltz” is a standout and the soaring ‘Si, mi chiamano Mimi…’ and ‘O soave faniciulla’ will have your heart racing.

La Bohème is a must see; perfect for those wanting to experience opera for the first time and for aficionados, this is a chance to see why both Maija Kovalevska and Yosep Kang have received rave reviews around the world.

HERO PARTNERS GOVERNMENT PARTNERSPATRON-IN-CHIEFDR HARUHISA HANDA

CreativesConductorPietroRizzo

DirectorGaleEdwards

RevivalDirectorHughHalliday

SetDesignerBrianThomson

SetDesignerJulieLynch

LightingDesignerJohnRayment

CastMimìMaijaKovalevska

RodolfoYosepKang

MusettaJaneEde

MarcelloChristopherTonkin

CollineRichardAnderson

SchaunardShaneLowrencev

BenoîtGraemeMacfarlane

AlcindoroAdrianTamburini

OfficerCliffordPlumpton

SergeantAnthonyMackey

ParpignolBenjaminRasheed

OperaAustraliaChorus

OrchestraVictoria

PerformanceinformationEveningsat7.30pmNovember7,9,12,14,16,20

SaturdayMatineesat1.00pmNovember24

RunningtimeApproximately2hoursand15minutesincludingoneinterval.

PerformedinItalianwithEnglishsurtitles.

Pleasenotethisproductioncontainspartialnudity.

BookingsAdultticketsfrom$67(feesmayapply)

Groupandconcessionpricesavailableformostperformances.

StudentRushavailableformostperformances:$50(feesmayapply)

OperaAustraliaBoxOffice(02)93188200www.opera.org.au

StateTheatre,ArtsCentreMelbourne

MediaenquiriesKateWarnock|Publicist0293188332|0419316135

kate.warnock@opera.org.au