Argentina Puccini, La Bohème: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Juventus Lyrica, Antonio Maria Russo (conductor), Teatro Avenida, Buenos Aires. 6.9.2013. (JSJ)
Cast:
Mimì: Sabrina Cirera / Mariana Carnovali
Rodolfo: Mariano Spagnolo / Darío Sayegh / Sebastián Russo
Musetta: Laura Polverini / Laura Pisani
Marcello: Fernando Grassi / Juan Salvador Trupia y Rodríguez
Colline: Mario De Salvo / Leonardo Fontana
Schaunard: Juan Font / Juan Feico
Alcindoro/Benoit: Gabriel Carasso
Parpignol: Fernando Navarro / Cristian Karin Taleb
Production:
Director: Ana D´Anna
Sets/lighting: Gonzalo Córdova
Costumes: María Jaunarena
Chorus: Antonio Maria Russo
Children’s chorus: Federico Neimark
Juventus Lyrica is the first of the Buenos Aires companies to complete its 2013 season and for this, a new production of the ever popular La Bohème.
Unlike the normal fairly modest stagings, this was rather more lavish, with the scenery by Gonzalo Córdova and María Jaunarena’s costumes suitably complementing and combining with Ana D’Anna’s production to create an ambience of “the day”. Particularly effective was the Café Momus scene of the second Act, with the chorus and lively special children’s chorus – of children drawn from across the city.
The score used was a reduced orchestration by Mario Parenti and Antonio Maria Russo once again demonstrated his strong affinity for works of his homeland, conducting with passion and style.
Among the singers Fernando Grassi’s sensitive Marcello and Laura Polverini’s spirited Musetta stood out. Mimi was well sung by Sabrina Cirera but Mariano Spagnolo seemed to settle into the role of Rodolfo only in the second half. Mario De Salvo made a good intervention as Colline but Juan Font lacked punch as Schaunard. Gabriel Carasso was adequate in the dual roles of Alcindoro and Benoit but Fernando Navarro was a weak Parpignol.
The performance was dedicated to soprano Florencia Fabris, who died aged just 38 years on September 1.
Jonathan Spencer Jones