Casting has been confirmed for the English National Opera (ENO) concert version of Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera La bohème, with tickets priced at just £5 to make opera accessible to the widest possible audience.
Mimì and Rodolfo’s passion burns with a brilliant flame. In a city of lights, can love eclipse Death itself?
When Mimì knocks at the door of four impoverished friends, Rodolfo answers and it’s love at first sight.
One of the most famous operas of all time, La bohème tells the story of Parisian poet Rodolfo’s doomed love for seamstress Mimì. This concert will be sung in English as part of the ENO’s mission to make opera accessible. With Puccini’s exquisite score, it makes for a perfect first-time opera for audiences.
Artistic Director of the ENO Annilese Miskimmon says: ‘It’s an honour for us to bring our full forces to Fairfield Halls ahead of Croydon’s historic year as the London Borough of Culture. Puccini’s opera is probably one of the most unforgettable love stories in the world, rivalling any Hollywood blockbuster. This stunning concert – sung entirely in English with the ENO’s 80 person Chorus and Orchestra – makes for a fabulous musical feast to sample at £5 a ticket for every seat in the house, whether it’s your first, or thirtieth opera.’
The ENO’s Music Director Martyn Brabbins conducts the astonishing force of the ENO Orchestra and Chorus to bring Puccini’s romantic score to life. Brabbins has worked with many of the top international and UK orchestras, and is a regular at the BBC Proms. Brabbins says: ‘Musicians love nothing more than performing to new audiences, and sharing the miraculous and moving music Puccini wrote. La bohème is amongst the greatest handful of operas, with unparalleled melodic invention, charming characterisation and powerful pathos. We are honoured to be performing in Croydon’s magnificent Fairfield Halls for the very first time.’
Fairfield Halls General Manager Jonathan Higgins says, ‘We really want to encourage local families, that may not have experienced opera, to come along and give it a try. I promise that the audience is in for a real treat!’
Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG. 21st August at 4pm. Admission: £5
Booking: www.fairfield.co.uk/ – 0203 292 0002
