Traditionalists will be pleased with San Diego Opera’s (SDO) 10th production of Giacomo Puccini’s 1896 operatic tragedy, “La bohème,” which is performed upon John Conklin’s familiar set, which is owned by SDO. The colorful 19th century artists and habitués of Café Momus are clad in Martin Pakledinaz’s familiar costumes. There is nothing here to surprise or dismay, not the company of exciting young American singers, not the conducting of Karen Keltner, the playing of San Diego Symphony or the staging of E. Loren Meeker in her company debut. What is surprising, however, is the singing of company debutant Piotr Beczala, who sings the tenor role of Rodolfo, which he has done abroad and at San Francisco Opera to great acclaim. It’s one of those rare occasions when a legendary singer proves even more exciting than his reputation and press hoopla has promised. He is handsome and a good actor and collaborator in this piece, which requires a certain camaraderie to achieve its warmth. Warm it is, full of bonhomie, love and lust in the first three acts, tragic in the fourth. Rodolfo (Beczala), Marcello (Jeff Mattsey), Colline (Afred Walker) and Schaunard (Malcolm MacKenzie) are all artists, living in an unheated garret in 19th century Paris. Tuberculosis is rampant in the city due to squalid living conditions and poverty. Marcello’s former flame, Musetta (Priti Gandhi) reenters his life, and Rodolfo falls in love with Mimi (Ellie Dehn), a seamstress who importunes him to light her candle. The joy of the opera is its amazingly beautiful score, especially for the tempestuous third act in which Mimi and Rodolfo reconcile while Marcello and Musetta noisily break up. Dehn, an 11th-hour substitute for previously announced Anja Harteros, acquits herself well, displaying a lovely voice and natural acting ability. Her dynamic contrasts are exquisite. Her pairing with Beczala is thrilling throughout. Both have terrific top voices, his with extraordinary ease and beautiful quality, hers, possessed of a thrilling pianissimo. The others are often thrilling as well. Gandhi, born in India and raised in Del Mar, is a UCSD graduate. She is making vocal transition from mezzo soprano to soprano with this role. Vocally, she is more than adequate, and though she reveals Musetta’s loving kindness, she hasn’t yet internalized and externalized her character’s free-spirited abandon. Under the direction of Timothy Todd Simmons the chorus sings well, and the orchestra, under the baton of Karen Keltner, plays well, especially in Act III’s more lyrical moments. Meeker breaks no new ground dramatically or visually, but this is a very good production of Puccini’s beloved work. See it at San Diego Civic Theatre, 202 C Street, downtown San Diego, www.sdopera.com or (619) 533-7000. Remaining performances take place Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For those unable to obtain tickets, the opening night performance will be broadcast at 7 pm Sunday, Feb. 14 on XLNC 104.9 FM.
