© In höchsten Tönen! La Bohème: Opera in the Krypt
Vienna, Peterskirche — Krypta
About the Event
With “La Bohème”, Puccini created his most endearing characters. His strength was his ability to portray the little things in life with musical precision and thus strike straight to the heart.
OPERA in the KRYPTA offers up‐close, authentic opera theater. Internationally renowned artists sing and act directly in front of and between their guests. La Bohème” is presented here in an intense and gripping way, just as Puccini himself liked to present his work after completion — with exclusive piano accompaniment. A moving, powerful experience that you will never forget.
The temperature in the auditorium is pleasant at any time of year.
Plot:
Act 1
The impoverished bohemians Rodolfo, the poet, Marcello, the painter, Schaunard, the musician and Colline, the philosopher, celebrate Christmas in their shared attic in Paris. Schaunard, who had earned money, provides them with a sumptuous meal and firewood for the freezing cold room. As they continue to celebrate in the popular Café Momus, the poet Rodolfo decides to stay alone for a while to finish his work.
Suddenly there is a knock at the door. Mimi, a neighbor, asks for a light for her extinguished candle, but a coughing fit leaves her exhausted. As she is about to leave, she misses her key. The candlelight goes out again in the breeze. Rodolfo finds it first and hides it mischievously in his hand. When they feel the floor, their hands touch and they are both in love.
The friends call from downstairs to Rodolfo, whose heart has already fallen for Mimi. They leave the attic as a couple and follow their companions.
Act 2
On the way to Café Momus, Rodolfo buys his Mimi a pink cap with the last of his money. He introduces her to his friends and a conversation about love ensues, which is particularly offensive to Marcello, who is disappointed in her
Suddenly Musetta, his former lover, appears and does everything she can to regain his attention after seeing Marcello. The former couple are reunited and they all leave the café together, leaving the bill unpaid.
Act 3
Some time later, Mimi desperately searches for Marcello in the early hours of the morning in a small, snowy village. Rodolfo has left her after a fit of jealousy. When he suddenly appears, she hides nearby and eavesdrops. Shocked, she discovers the real reason for his behavior. Out of fear and helplessness, he could no longer bear her condition. Mimi suffers from tuberculosis. Their life together in his icy attic made her health even worse.
When Mimi can no longer control her cough, Rodolfo discovers her and they fall into each other's arms. In the end, however, they bid each other a comforting farewell and go their separate ways. Meanwhile, a heated argument develops between Musetta and Marcello, until they also part angrily.
Act 4
Spring has now arrived. Rodolfo and Marcello work in their garret, but nothing seems to be working. Everyone is thinking of their lost lover. When Colline and Schaunard cheer the friends up, they briefly forget their grief and engage in a high‐spirited game.
Suddenly Musetta bursts in and asks Rodolfo for help. The terminally ill Mimi wants to see her Rodolfo one last time. The friends lay her down on her worn divan. Musetta, whose big heart can hardly bear the suffering, fulfills her last wish. She goes and buys a muff for Mimi's ice‐cold hands. Colline decides to pawn his only possession, his coat, to give money for the doctor. Marcello receives Musetta's earrings in order to pawn them for the doctor as well.
Left alone, Mimi and Rodolfo remember their great love. When the friends arrive, Mimi is delighted with the wonderful muff. Musetta assures her that it is Rodolfo's. She happily falls asleep.
While they are preparing the medicine, Schaunard realizes that Mimi has died. Stunned, Rodolfo collapses over his beloved.
Practical Information
The 'Opera in the Crypt' series is a unique form of presenting opera at its very essence. With piano accompaniment, talented singers in costumes perform the works in the exceptional, intimate atmosphere of the crypt under St. Peter's Church. Through the short distance between audience and musicians you can experience opera in a way you have never heard or seen it before.
Program
- Giacomo Puccini – La Bohème
Cast / Production
Mimì – Katharina J.A. Gebauer
Musetta – Leah Manning
Rodolfo – Sergio Tallo‐Torres
Marcello – Yechan Bahk
Schaunard – Minhyuk Choi
Colline – Florian Pejrimovsky
Benoit/Alcindoro – Michael Pinsker
Musical direction– Ekaterina Nokkert
Production/lights – Dorothee Stanglmayr
Peterskirche
The Peterskirche (St Peter’s Church) is the second-oldest church in Vienna, founded around 800AD, if legend is to be believed. The present church was built in 1732 in the Baroque style, with Vienna's first baroque dome. Inspired by St Peter's Basilica in Rome, the interior is adorned with frescoes, sculptures, golden altarpieces and carved wood. Peterskirche is one of Vienna's busiest classical music venues, featuring a diverse program that includes daily organ concerts, operas, choral concerts and performances by prominent local and international artists. In addition to performances in the elegant main sanctuary, the Peterskirche also hosts concerts in the fascinating and intimate crypt below ground level.
Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini was an Italian opera composer of the late 19th century. He was considered one of the greatest composers of the Italian Opera, second only to Verdi. His early works were characterised by features of the traditional 19th century romantic Italian opera. Later, his style developed into the realistic verismo style, which inspired him to write his most famous masterpieces and became one of the leading exponents of the style. His most renowned works La bohème (1896), Tosca (1900), Madama Butterfly (1904), and Turandot (1924), all are popular operas played in the most prestigious venues of the classical world.
Customer Reviews
5.0 of 5
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Oxana G, Россия
Nov 2018
Потрясающее исполнение оперы в камерной атмосфере. Выше ожиданий. Супер!
Address
Peterskirche, Petersplatz, Vienna, Austria — Google Maps
