Hillman Opera to present "La Boheme"

An enduring, tragic love story will be brought to life this November at SUNY Fredonia as the 2009-10 Hillman Opera.

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The SUNY Fredonia School of Music, in cooperation with the Department of Theatre and Dance and with assistance from the Hillman Memorial Music Association, will present four performances of “La Bohème” in Marvel Theatre at Rockefeller Arts Center. Performance dates and times are Nov. 12, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.

“La Bohème” was written by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Based on “Scenes de Ia vie de bohème” by Henri Murger and set in Paris in the 1830s, it tells of an ill-fated love affair between a seamstress named Mimi and a poet named Rodolfo.

Hillman Opera Production Administrator Julie Newell noted “La Bohème” is among the most performed and most beloved of all operatic literature.

“The story’s appeal goes far beyond the love story, even beyond the stunning melodic writing of Puccini, which so beautifully communicates the romance, passion, energy, and vigor of the young characters we meet,” Ms. Newell said. “But more deeply than even these elements, ‘La Bohème’ never ceases to bring us each as individuals to our own youth. These characters find their way into our heart and its memories of our own dreams, challenges and loves.”

Ms. Newell said there are many “spectacular” moments in “La Bohème” from a purely musical point of view.

“The arias in which Rodlofo and Mimi ‘meet’ – ‘Che gelida manina’ and ‘Si, mi chiamano Mimi’ respectively – as well as their breathtaking duet which follows are thrilling,” she said. “For visual as well as vocal brilliance, it would be hard to find a competitor in all opera repertoire as the entire Act 2 scene with huge crowds, children’s chorus and marching bands added to the cast of lovers and artists.”

A particular highlight of this year’s Hillman Opera is the presence of two highly successful Fredonia alumni singers: Jennifer Winn in the role of Mimi and Erik Angerhofer in the role Marcello. They will be featured in the Nov. 13 and 15 performances.

"These singers have gone on from their years at Fredonia to grace opera stages throughout the U.S. and it adds a dimension to the rehearsal process and the performances which is most exciting, "Ms. Newell said.

Student cast members in this dual-cast production include Aurora DePaul of Rochester as Mimi, Boris Van Druff of Olean as Rodolfo, Will Prapestis of Elmira as Marcello, Sarah Fisk of Shoreham and Charlea-Lyn Grieco of Pine Bush as Musetta, Ben Pfeil of Chenango Forks and Chris Adams of Rochester as Colline, and Kyle Sackett of Webster and Jay Mobley of Niskayuna as Shaunard.

She added that with a “beautiful stage setting designed by Tri-Cities Opera and a full orchestra in the pit, the Marvel theatre will be a sensory celebration.”

Returning to assist with makeup and hair design is alumnus David Bova, a graduate of the Class of 2000, who was a Technical Production/Costume Design major at Fredonia.

Tickets are available through the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by calling 716-673-3501 (1-866-441-4928) or online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets.