SF Opera's La Bohème (Voulgaridou, Fabiano)

* Notes *
A new production of La Bohème (Nadine Sierra as Musetta, Michael Fabiano as Rodolfo, Alexia Voulgaridou as Mimì, and Alexey Markov as Marcello in Act IV pictured left; photograph by Cory Weaver) opened at San Francisco Opera last night. David Farley's production design consists of fairly flat scenery arranged such that a new scene is revealed with simple rotation of the set. Though not substantial, this did facilitate the graceful transitions between acts. John Caird's humorous direction read well from the very back of the house, the movements may have been hyperbolic when taken closer at hand.

The performance, conducted by Maestro Giuseppe Finzi, sounded a bit rough at first. The volume and speed of the orchestra was overwhelming at times in Act I, but certainly improved over the course of the evening. The harp sounded especially beautiful throughout the opera. The whole orchestra sounded splendid in the finale.

The youthful, attractive cast members looked and sounded perfectly believable in their roles. Hadleigh Adams (Schaunard) was difficult to hear over the orchestra in Act I, but his Act IV performance was poignant. Christian Van Horn sang Colline with tenderness and jocularity. Alexey Markov is a vigorous Marcello.

Nadine Sierra's Musetta is charming. Her voice seemed pleasantly chirpy compared to the darker hues in Alexia Voulgaridou's soprano. Voulgaridou makes for a sympathetic Mimì. Her lower notes sound grounded and her higher ones are secure yet have a nice fragility as is appropriate for the character. Michael Fabiano is a dashing Rodolfo, his bright voice can be slightly brash but is distinctive and warm. His "Che gelida manina" was touching, though the high note had a tinsel-like quality.

* Tattling * 
The audience was chatty but enthusiastic. A few watch alarms noted.