The Opera Tattler

Reviews of Performances and their Audiences

Recent posts

Final Dress Rehearsal of La Bohème

  * Notes *
The latest revival of La Bohème at San Francisco Opera may be very good indeed, if the final dress rehearsal was any indication. Though I am not crazy about La Gheorghiu, all the signs are good, she may well look and sound completely convincing as Mimi by the opening on Sunday. The rest of the cast is strong, so I actually do look forward to the upcoming performances.

* Tattling * 
The audience in the Grand Tier was quite enthused. I especially enjoyed overhearing that Gheorghiu is "like a cross between one of the muppets and Judy Garland."

Nicola Luisotti had a white sweater draped dashingly over a navy blue shirt that he removed each time he was to actually conduct. It was difficult not to giggle at this.

Posted in , , , ,

11 responses to “Final Dress Rehearsal of La Bohème”

  1. Dodaro Avatar
    Dodaro

    Yogurt patrol observes that someone was eating yoplait in the grand tier, right before the performance.

    Like

    Reply
  2. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Yes, indeed!

    Like

    Reply
  3. Not For Fun Only Avatar
    Not For Fun Only

    Mio Dio, I loved Luisotti's over-the-shoulder white sweater! Otherwise how would we be able to tell he is Italian? I hope he does it on Sunday!

    Like

    Reply
  4. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    It certainly was something!

    Like

    Reply
  5. Niki Avatar
    Niki

    Elixir of Love or La Boheme?

    Like

    Reply
  6. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Good question. I'm not sure yet! At this point, Elixir.

    Like

    Reply
  7. patty Avatar
    patty

    We had a guest conductor in San Jose some years ago who always did the sweater thing at rehearsal. At our dress a number of guys decided to do the same. Fortunately he had a good sense of humor. 🙂

    I look forward to Boheme, as it's an opera I've played so frequently. (Who hasn't?) First it's Elixir for me, though. I'm going to guess that the tempi are all much peppier than OSJ.

    Like

    Reply
  8. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    It is nice when people have a sense of humor about themselves.

    Not too sure about those tempi in Elixir, some are pretty slow at SFO this time around as well.

    Like

    Reply
  9. patty Avatar
    patty

    I think he was sort of flattered, actually!

    I assumed SF's tempi had to be faster since we have a number of cuts and we are at about 2:30, and I read that they are at 2:30 and I don't think they do cuts like we do. But time will tell. 😉

    Like

    Reply
  10. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I think the SF Elixir is closer to being 2:40, but I could be wrong.

    Like

    Reply
  11. Not For Fun Only Avatar
    Not For Fun Only

    The night I attended Elixir, it was a bit past 10:40pm when the lights came up, so I think the timing is about 2:40. Campanella's tempos aren't exactly slow all the time, but there is something lifeless about them all the same.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to The Opera Tattler Cancel reply