I do admit, I was never really an opera person. The closest that I have ever been to an experience an opera was listening to The Drinking Song (Libiamo Ne Lieti Calici) from La Traviata those few times, or the soundtrack from the movie Amadeus on repeat.
Looking back, I realized that I never felt any true apathy for the opera, but just a strong feeling of intimidation. I wondered if I could follow the plot easily, relate to the characters, or even just have the stamina to last three hours sitting in a tiny seat. Luckily, it is safe to say that after watching La Boheme at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, all of my preconceived notions towards operas have been put to rest.
Something that truly helped to enhance my opera experience, was watching the modern adaptation of the opera, which in this case was the film adaptation of the musical Rent. As a result, I felt that Rent acted a bridge to understanding La Boheme. For instance, I could note several similarities between the opera and the film, one notable one being that scene when Mimi visits Rodolfo’s apartment, asking him to light her candle. During that scene, I automatically remembered a similar scene in Rent, during the duet between Mimi and Roger, with the song “Light my Candle”.
What shocked me the most from the opera, for some reason, was the sheer scale of its production value. Initially, I admired the set from the first scene, which was the apartment of the artists. Even from the angle, I was sitting at, I still felt immersed in the scenery, because it truly looked like an intimate European apartment. In the next act, I almost caught my breath, when the curtains opened and displayed a lively street scene. All I could think about was how the stage could accommodate such a vast number of artists, while still holding a market and a parade that came later on in the act.
In retrospect, I that the opera was able to capture its timeless spirit of the entire bohemian lifestyle, complete with financial struggles and artistic liberation. I did feel my heart break towards the end of the musical when Mimi dies in Rodolfo’s arms, which did seem to fit as an ending for a tragic opera. The relationship between Mimi and Rodolfo felt more passionate than Mimi and Roger’s in the film for some reason, with the couple constantly bouncing back and forth between love and intense arguments. The opera did do a great job in conveying a strong and classic romantic story, complete with innocent encounters and a heartbreaking ending.
After watching La Boheme, I have gained a newfound appreciation for yet another art form, that being opera. As a New Yorker, I have realized just how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to have experienced an opera, especially one so iconic and widely beloved. Who knows, maybe in the future I might explore the other operas Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center might have to offer.
