The DMV audience was treated to an excellent production of Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera La BohYesme on Friday evening as part of Wolf Trap Opera. This one-night-only performance at the Filene Center was a co-production of the Houston Grand Opera Association, Canadian Opera Company and San Francisco Opera and was accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Grant Gershon.

Directed by John Caird and, for this revival, Katherine M. Carter, the production featured a talented cast of rising opera stars, Studio Artists (many of whom played leading roles), additional chorus members, and the Children’s Chorus of Washington. This large cast filled the stage with excitement, love, and ultimately, deep sorrow.

Eric Taylor as Rodolfo, a struggling poet and the tenor lead, is a great talent. His confident voice easily filled the room, swelling with emotion that matched his tender gestures to his lover, the soprano Mimi, played by Amanda Batista.

As the beautiful Musetta, Midori Marsh excelled in her comic aria When I see you which ends the second act. The exuberant Christmas Eve scene at Cafe Momus is played for laughs, which was well received on Friday night. Even more impressive was the distinctive voice of each soloist and the rhythmic intensity, which allowed the audience to follow the overlapping conversations as if watching a tennis match.

The two love stories that are central BohYesme were still as moving, reminding us that life can be cut short by illness or loss and that money alone rarely brings happiness. This production also showed how important friendship is to making life bearable. Although Rodolfo and Marcello’s friends are on stage only a short time, the camaraderie they share is uplifting.

The NSO also shone, bringing a freshness to the beloved score and highlighting its dynamic range. The tragedy of the final act felt cruel after the exuberant joy of the first half. But I felt fortunate to experience both, and to do so on such a beautiful summer evening outdoors. Years ago, similar outdoor performances were among my first opera experiences, and the informality of the venue made opera less intimidating, opening my heart and ears. Last night’s audience was made up of seasoned operagoers but, judging by age alone, also newer audiences, and all were fortunate to experience Puccini’s masterpiece as illuminated by such skilled minds, hands and voices. It is a shame that this performance will not be repeated.

Wolf Trap Opera Company closes the season with a production of Kevin Puts’ Silent Night, running August 9-17.

Running time: two hours and forty minutes, with one intermission

Photo credits: Le Bu, Laureano Quant, Eric Taylor, Blake Denson, photo by Scott Suchman/Wolf Trap.

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