February 19-25, 2004

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Curtis Opera Theatre's La Bohème

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One of the more encouraging trends in opera performance in the last generation has been an emphasis on believable characterization and good acting. Hopefully, the stereotype of the plump, middle-aged matron, feet seemingly bolted to the stage while attempting to impersonate a lovesick teenager, is a thing of the past.

It is hard to think of an opera that has been more abused by such miscasting than La Bohéme, the tale of a group of threadbare young bohemians in Paris. The huge success of Baz Luhrmann's Broadway staging of the Puccini opera surely resulted from his decision to cast for theatricality first, singing second (although the musical performances were reportedly fine). At Curtis, youthful ardor has always been a hallmark of the vocal students, and it is a quality that really lights up this opera. This will be a concert version of this most popular of operas, but it will still be refreshing to hear this music sung by performers who are actually the same age of the characters they are portraying.

Curtis Opera Theatre's La Bohème, Fri.-Sat., Feb. 20-21, 8 p.m., $30, Centennial Hall at Haverford School, 450 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, 215-893-7902; Mon., Feb. 23, 7 p.m., $15-$30, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.

—Peter Burwasser

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