La Boheme, and Le Verre du l’amentier

The final days with Professor Poutheir were memorable, we watched the Sean Connery film The Name of the Rose, went to La Boheme at the Bastille (where the Professor bought wine) and had yet another wine tasting in class (after we had been served wine in French class as well). The Professor served white wines from his birthplace, the place where he fell in love and some Chardonnay Americans like. The one from his place of birth was very interesting, not what I am used to tasting in a white. Consequently, he didn’t bring more than bottle. The wine from where he fell in love was sweeter and quiet fruity. You may be asking yourself how Sage knows so much about wine all of a sudden? Well, I don’t, the professor helped us out, but I am getting there. He then thanked us for putting up with his “brutal English” and we toasted to what he called “Le verre du l’amentier.”
This production La Boheme was set in the 1940s, and was set in the familiar Latin Quarter. This production heavily emphasized acting, and the performers were very active onstage. The first act, second and fourth were very well performed, and Musetta’s “Quando m’en vo” was funny, beautifully performed and made you wish she had more arias to come. The first and fourth act were set in Marcello’s and Rodolfo’s apartment, which was complete with a Cardillac Ballet poster, a minimalist painting and a Jeane Harlow movie poster. The second set in a very impressive set of popular café in the Latin Quarter. Complete with large crowds, character waiters and adoring onlookers for Musetta. The third was very desolate street corner, with a wall covered with DuBonnet posters. You get the idea that this production was very impressive, period specific and detailed.
Mimi and Rodolfo sadly didn’t compliment each other in any notable way until the fourth act, when finally their voices seemed to match for “Sono andati.” The Conductor was very explicitly directing the singers on stage as well, something I am not used to seeing. He would pound his chest and jab his baton at them. Despite his being sidetracked by the singer, the orchestration was very impressively done.
I also should note, that La Boheme was the first Opera I ever saw, and I didn’t get why Mimi was taking so long to die, I had to ask my Dad. I have now seen it at least four times, and I don’t think I will ever tire of it.