The Opera Tattler

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SF Opera’s La Bohème (Crocetto, Berrugi)

Sf-opera-boheme-castb-2014* Notes *
A second cast appeared in San Francisco Opera's La Bohème (Ellie Dehn as Musetta, Brian Mulligan as Marcello, Giorgio Berrugi as Rodolfo, and Leah Crocetto as Mimì in Act III pictured left; photograph by Cory Weaver) on Saturday night. Again, Maestro Giuseppe Finzi conducted an orchestra that sounded grand and vivid, but was often ahead of the singers. The oboe and clarinet gave particularly lovely performances.

Brian Mulligan sounds warm and rich as Marcello. Ellie Dehn is a surprising sassy Musetta, her nice clean voice taking on a certain voluptuousness for this role. Giorgio Berrugi's Rodolfo is not consistent, there are times when it sounds as if he is winding up his voice to hit high notes, and other moments in which he is vibrant and clear. While Leah Crocetto is not the most dainty Mimì, she sounded stunning. Her voice is creamy and her phrasing is exquisite.

* Tattling * 
I managed to position myself behind an affectionate and talkative couple at the back of the balcony.

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13 responses to “SF Opera’s La Bohème (Crocetto, Berrugi)”

  1. JP Avatar
    JP

    here’s my tattling: Colline lost his wig between his first scene and second scene, but managed to get it back in the second half. His voice was gorgeous and booming dispite .

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  2. Lilacrobin Avatar
    Lilacrobin

    Must come bsck for for the B cast…especially Brian M (my new hero) and Leah. ♥

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  3. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Definitely a strong voice!

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  4. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Both casts were good! But I am partial to Mulligan and Crocetto too.

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  5. Trixie of TheTeaDrinker.com Avatar
    Trixie of TheTeaDrinker.com

    oh gosh, i bet that’s the couple behind whom i sat during the penultimate PARTENOPE…

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  6. John Avatar
    John

    He didn’t “lose” his wig. He says at the end of Act I, he’s off to get a haircut, and Act 4 is set three months later, so some of his hair has grown back.

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  7. Sacto OperaFan Avatar
    Sacto OperaFan

    Saturday’s performance was great. I originally had tickets for the Fabiano/Voulgaridou cast, but had to switch at the last minute. Normally the “second or B” cast is the weaker one. I don’t think this is the case. The singing was first rate. Perhaps the stars are a little brighter in the first cast, but Saturday’s ensemble was equal to any cast in a international house.
    Leah Crocetto should be on her way to a very successful career; hope she has good management. IMO she was the star among stars – beautiful tone, easily heard and wonderful phrasing. Her voice is a little too opulent for Mimi. Crocetto is a spinto with dramatic possibilities. How exciting to hear this kind of voice at her age. I truly hope SFO has signed a multi-year contract with her. I hear Donna Anna and Tosca for sure, and perhaps some of the Verdi heroines in her voice; Elisabetta perhaps??
    Berrugi is sweet voiced, but a little light for SFO; he seems to fade when the voice needs power. It would be a pleasure to hear him in a smaller house. Dehn was surprisingly good as Musetta. I heard her in the Mozart roles she sang here recently and was not impressed. Her voice seems to have cleared up and has much more volume. Why are Musettas always dressed in pink? Every single one I’ve seen is costumed in some loud shade of pink for the Cafe Momus scene.
    The rest of the Bohemians were really luxury casting. I liked Hadleigh Adams voice; wish he had a proper aria. Van Horn continues to give first rate performances in smaller roles; hope he gets a meatier role soon. Which leaves Mulligan. He hasn’t been a favorite of mine in the past, but on Saturday night he was fantastic. If I hadn’t known it was him, I would have sworn it was another baritone.
    The sets while very functional were disappointing. I think in a regional company these would be fine; but I always expect something more at SFO. While the simple set was okay for the shabby garret in Acts 1 & 4; I really want something dazzling for Act 2. What I was did not fit the bill.
    It was truly a night at the opera for me and the two newbies who came along. We sat in Box W and had the whole box to ourselves. I couldn’t ask for a better performance to introduce newbies to the world of opera we all love so much.

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  8. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Perhaps!

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  9. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Thanks for your thoughtful comments!

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  10. JSCSF Avatar
    JSCSF

    I’ve heard Crocetto will be back Fall 2015 in Luisa Miller, a revival of the 2000 Zambello production. 🙂

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  11. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Thanks for the tip!

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  12. Roberto Avatar
    Roberto

    I saw the cast A yesterday and cast B tonight. Neither cast blew my mind. I would recommend cast B. The problem of this opera is that I cannot stop thinking about Pavarotti and Freni. The bar is just too high.
    I liked the sets. The music is beautiful! People should see it.

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  13. Aspasia Avatar
    Aspasia

    At the end of the first scene Colline says he is off to the barber. Hence the short hair in the second scene.

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