Before there was RENT...there was La Bohème!

Winter Opera Saint Louis concludes its fifth season this March with a production of Giacomo Puccini’s timeless opera La Bohème to be performed on Friday, March 2nd at 8pm and Sunday, March 4th at 3pm at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade (425 S. Lindbergh Blvd).

Set to a libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, La Bohème tells the story of a passionate, tumultuous love affair between the young poet Rodolfo and the consumptive seamstress Mimì set against the colorful backdrop of 1830s bohemian Paris. Experience some of opera’s most beloved themes including Mimì’s aria “Mi chiamano Mimì,” the lovers’ duet “O soave fanciulla,” Musetta’s coquettish aria “Quando me’n vo” and Colline’s haunting aria “Vecchia zimarra.”

THE SINGERS

Winter Opera Saint Louis presents a cast, crew and orchestra of talents both new and familiar to St. Louis audiences. Soprano Gina Galati, who has most recently sung for Opera Naples, Miami Lyric Opera and Brooklyn Opera, appears in the role of Mimì. Tenor Gary Seydell, who sang Turiddu in last season’s Cavalleria Rusticana, returns to portray the poet Rodolfo. Artists making their debut with Winter Opera Saint Louis include Metropolitan Opera Baritone Trevor Scheunemann as the artist Marcello and Soprano Ashley Yvonne Wheat as his on-again-off-again lover Musetta.

Among the returning artists: Baritone John-Andrew Fernandez, recently seen as Harlekin in Ariadne auf Naxos, sings the role of Schaunard, a musician. Bass Dan Cole, who made his Winter Opera debut as Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville, sings the role of Colline, a philosopher. Tenor Philip Touchette, last seen in the role of Der Haushofmeister in Ariadne auf Naxos, sings the role of Parpignol, a toy-seller. Baritone Adam Stefo, a Winter Opera veteran, sings the role of Customs Sergeant.

THE CREW

Conductor Alfred Savia of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra (Evansville, IN) makes his debut with Winter Opera Saint Louis. Stage Director Mark Freiman draws upon a long history with Bohème, beginning with an appearance in the opera as a child with Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus. Freiman will also sing the roles of Benoît and Alcindoro. Nancy Mayo, adjunct professor of in piano and accompanying at Webster University and resident collaborative pianist with Winter Opera Saint Louis, serves as rehearsal pianist. Jennifer Krajicek, who has worked for several local theater companies including The Saint Louis Black Repertory, makes her company debut as Costume Designer. Scott Glascock, who most recently lit Winter Opera Saint Louis’ A Grand Night For Singing, serves as Lighting Designer. Scenic Artist Rachel Filbeck makes her debut with the company.

IN THE MEDIA

Gina Galati and Trevor Scheunemann appeared on St. Louis Public Radio's Cityscape program with Steve Potter to talk about the production. Click here to hear archived audio of the broadcast. Be sure to read Patricia Rice's overview of the season, including La Bohème, for The Saint Louis Beacon.

IF YOU GO...

La Bohème will be performed on Friday, March 2nd at 8pm and Sunday, March 4th at 3pm in the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade located at 425 S. Lindbergh Blvd (map). Production sung in Italian with projected English supertitles.

Get your tickets by calling Winter Opera Saint Louis at 314-865-0038 or going online at http://winteroperastl.tix.com/ For further information on the company, its future performances and special events, visit winteroperastl.org.