Night at the opera | Bangkok Post: Arts & Culture

The second opera performed by Russia's Novosibirsk Opera Theatre at Bangkok's 12th International Festival of Dance & Music was Giacomo Puccini's popular La Boheme, known for its melodic arias and an Italian libretto chronicling the vicissitudes of life and love. Ten years ago it was the first opera to be staged at the Festival of Dance and Music, and operas have now become regular and beloved features of the annual event.

Based on Henri Murger's novel, Scenes de la vie de boheme, "La Boheme" translates roughly as Bohemia. The geographical Bohemia now comprises much of the Czech Republic, but in Western Europe it was once erroneously thought to be the origin of the gypsies, long associated with nomadism, free-living and a well of artistic inspiration. The title of Murger's 1851 novel and the 1896 opera refers, though, to an imaginary Bohemia (set here in 19th-century Paris), land of artists and free spirits where emotion and love rule over structure and discipline.

The opera begins with Rodolfo the poet and Marcello the artist in their Paris garret bemoaning the state of their finances. They burn Rodolfo's play for warmth, and wonder where their next artistic inspiration and their next meal will come from. Enter their two room-mates, a musician and philosopher, with some newfound funds, and celebrations commence. When the landlord comes demanding rent they have to be evasive and mock outrage when they coax him into confessing a tryst with a prostitute. The Bohemian band exit triumphantly to enjoy Christmas Eve on the town, but Rodolfo stays behind to finish writing a newspaper article. Enter the consumptive Mimi, a seamstress looking for a light for her candle, and Rodolfo uses all of his poetic powers of persuasion to seduce her. When he blows out his own candle and pockets her key, they search vainly in the dark for it, and their hands touch, and passion is inflamed.