Rarely has a music conservatory like @uc_ccm staged an opera by Giacomo Puccini’s with a cast of rising student soloists so vocally astounding and with a production design as top-tier. But opening night of CCM’s La bohème succeeded on all these fronts and more.
The principal cast was perhaps the finest yet assembled in all the performances of this masterpiece I have attended over the past 10 years. Tenor Xiaofeng Hou as the lovelorn poet Rodolfo gave what may be the definitive interpretation of this role, with a gorgeously detailed timbre, ringing and passionate tenor and a deeply poignant stage presence and acting skills. Soprano Clara Reeves as Mimi was equally spectacular, recalling greats of the 20th and 21st centuries such as Renata Tebaldi, Sondra Radvanovsky and Renée Fleming. Her final scene in Act IV was powerful enough to leave many in the audience weeping.
Baritone Alan Rendzak as the painter Marcello was wonderfully energetic and fun to watch, with a strong, richly-layered voice reminiscent of Samuel Ramey and Thomas Hampson. The same could also be said for baritones Owen Langford and Andrew Hallam as, respectively, Schaunard and Colline, as their voices suited the characters’ more playful aspects to a tee.
However, the brightest light of the evening amongst the supporting cast was soprano Morgan Small as Musetta, who can best be described as the life of the party in any environment she finds herself. With a voice that was flawless in its technical precision, exceptionally playful and heartbreakingly tender, especially in Act IV. Fine performances in smaller roles were also provided by tenor Levi Capesius as the toy seller Parpignol, baritone Andrew Hebert in the dual roles of Benoit the landlord and Alcindoro, Musetta’s love, and Lucas Maceroni and Madison Kavanaugh as the two customs officers in Act III.
The CCM Concert Orchestra under conductor Aik Khai Pung, proved excellent musical partners, considering this was the first time many of these student musicians played a full opera score. Even if the experience may have been marred slightly by Corbett Auditorium’s acoustics, outstanding playing was given the spotlight nonetheless.
Bravi!!
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