The Opera Tattler

* Notes * 
The production of La Bohème at this season closed yesterday evening at San Francisco Opera with a competent second cast (pictured, photograph by Matthew Washburn) for three of the main singers. The orchestra sounded clear and lovely.

The final performance was consistent with the prima, though conductor Ramón Tebar and the orchestra were even more refined. Again, I really loved the string and woodwind soli. The chorus did well in Act II, everything seemed together and strong.

I had a better appreciation for bass Bogdan Talos (Colline) from the balcony, his voice has a nice weight and ping. when needed but also very amusing when called for. As Marcello, Baritone Lucas Meachem is an incredible singing actor, he is nothing if not reliable. He fits right in as a young person despite the fact he's been singing at San Francisco Opera for around two decades.

Soprano Brittany Renee (Musetta) is full but has an icy quality that works well for "Quando me'n vo'." Soprano Nicole Car looks delicate as Mimì, but her sound is, at times, rather too robust. She was able to color and shade her notes to sound more frail, but she was occasionally shrill and gasping. Tenor Evan LeRoy Johnson is earnest as Rodolfo with a bright voice. He wasn't completely secure for every note, but there is something very appealing about his brassy timbre. Car and Johnson's duet in Act III was a highlight of the performance, they sang nicely together.

* Tattling * 
I noticed quite a bit of rustling of food wrappers and dropping of objects from laps, but no electronic noise in the back of the balcony.