“Mi Chiamano Mimi”

The wide steps to the plaza and the fountain were vast and inviting. The architecture and the lights of the Metropolitan Opera against the night sky left me in awe as I took the whole scene in. After taking photos in front of the light pink-lit fountain, my friends and I walk in with the crowd. The anticipation and excitement was almost tangible in the air as we made our way up the grand staircase. The red carpet lined stairs, the grand chandeliers and the high ceilings marked the Met Opera with opulence. People had come dressed in a variety of ways, with outfits ranging from long red gowns to dressed down jeans and a sweater.

After seeing the iconic rise of the chandeliers, the opera La Bohème began with Marcello and Rodolfo complaining about the lack of heat and the rent that was past overdue. The scene correlates exactly with the opening scene in Rent, a musical film adaption that examined La Bohème in a modern way. Watching Rent in class was a very helpful experience because it allowed me to understand and connect with the characters. When there is a language barrier, as with La Bohème, there is a disconnect and a gap in understanding. Rent helped me connect to the characters, and this translated into the opera when we watched La Bohème.

What left an impression on me was the set design of La Bohème. The sets were intricate and well thought out. I appreciate the design and art that goes into stage design, and I thought it was beautiful how well the stage crew emulated a snowy winter night outside a cabin. Another notable set stage was the scene when there was a market and a restaurant. The set enhanced the experience and I think it created a beautiful world for the characters to be going through their very not beautiful problems.

One of my favorite scenes in the opera was the one in which Musetta meets the crew in the market and in the restaurant. Her character is introduced in a very lively and extravagant way, which is appropriate for the dramatic nature of her character. She has men at her feet and she has a sexuality that she is not afraid to flaunt, which was a very challenging and controversial concept to people during the time period. Compared to Maureen in Rent, it seems like Musetta is badder and sexier because the standards were a lot higher in the period for La Bohème than they were in 1980’s New York City. It was interesting to see that Musetta probably had a greater impact on the audience in La Bohème than Maureen did in Rent.

Another interesting aspect of La Bohème was Mimi’s aria. It was very impactful because in the singing, there was a longing that was heard when Mimi was telling her story. She is explaining her background of stitching flowers, and it was sad to hear Mimi say she longed for something real. The themes of Mimi’s life were translated into the tones of the way the actress was delivering the aria.

Overall, the trip to the Opera was a very good one. It was nice to see the opera that Rent was based on, and it was really nice to go to the Met Opera for the first time.