Kirk Muspratt, Artistic Director
and Music Director
  DuPage Opera Theatre La Boheme Music by Giacomo Puccini Editors note: La Boheme is one of the best known, most played Operas of all time and the DuPage Opera is one of the tops in their productions....it should be wonderful. Review by Ed Vincent La Boheme is another grand opera on a small stage, but with all the grandeur of the biggest productions. The sets are from New York, the music from Italy...many years ago, and the singing is well performed. The theatrics on stage are fun and expressive by all participants. Soprano Rachel Copeland, singing and performing the role of Musetta is a real treat with her enthusiasm and talent. The The leading roles of Rodolfo, by John Sumner and Mimi, by Michelle Areyzaga tell the tale of crossed lovers and the ultimate tragedy of pre antibiotic years, add poverty to the formula-and don't forget the kleenex. The choral work is beautiful and the extras bring the cast to hundreds (in appearance). All flows well with quick scene changes and lighting for each transition. Maestro Muspratt delivers Puccini’s “La Boheme,” with gorgeous results. Wonderfully staged with superb theatrics, talented vocals, and heavenly orchestrations. Get your tickets soon...... Friday, July 20, 2007, 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 21, 2007, 8 p.m. Friday, July 27, 2007, 8 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 2007 3 pm. $43 adults / 41 seniors/ 33 youth Kirk Muspratt, Conductor Michael Latour, Stage Director Sung in Italian with English supertitles DuPage Opera Theatre Prepares to Break Hearts With Passionae 'La Boheme' Maestro Muspratt tackles one of world’s most popular operas with gusto and grace Artistic and Music Director Kirk Muspratt and DuPage Opera Theatre (DOT) will present Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme,” with sponsorship by Smith Financial Advisors of Wheaton, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 20 – 21; 8 p.m. Friday, July 27; and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 29, at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The opera will be sung in Italian, with English supertitles, and New Philharmonic Orchestra in the pit. “Puccini is my favorite composer, and La Boheme is his most beautiful piece of art. Every phrase in this opera weighs a thousand pounds,” said Muspratt. “We want to present it elegantly, passionately and fitting to Puccinni’s music and setting.” “La Boheme,” the inspiration for the Broadway musical “Rent,” is one of the most-performed operas the world over. The romantic tragedy takes place in Paris during the tumultuous 1830s and follows the lives and loves of four poverty-stricken roommates: thoughtful poet Rodolfo, hot-headed painter Marcello, musician Schaunard and philosopher Colline. On Christmas Eve, Rodolfo falls in love with the frail but beautiful Mimi, a gentle seamstress who is sick and nearing the end of her life. Meanwhile, Marcello fervently pursues an on-again-off-again relationship with the town’s most fiery dame, Musetta. “Boheme tells of two couples who are both unbelievably in love, but in totally different ways. It’s romantic and tragic, fragile and honest,” Muspratt said. “It can rip your heart out when it’s done right. That is our challenge. We want to make the love so alive, so tangible that the audience won’t want to go back into the real world after it’s over.” To accomplish that, Muspratt is pulling out all the stops, with sets coming in from New York and costumes designed especially for the production by Joanne Witzkowski. Talent is Muspratt’s most important component, with a host of young singers taking the lead including a real-life couple playing the dynamic duo of Marcello and Musetta - something Muspratt found out about only after he cast them. The cast is led by tenor John Sumners, an Indianapolis native, as the poet Rodolfo. Sumners has performed to much acclaim with Indiana University Opera Theatre, Central City Opera, Knoxville Opera and Ohio Light Opera. Joining him is Chicago native and soprano Michelle Areyzaga, who returns to DOT as Mimi. Areyzaga has performed to critical acclaim with Chicago Opera Theatre, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Light Opera Works and numerous others. Opera Magazine hailed her as “stunning.” Marcello is performed by baritone Scott Skiba of Bloomington, Ind., who has starred in more than 30 operas during his six-year career. He returns to DOT, where he last starred as Escamillo in “Carmen” in 2006. Washington Post writer Peter Marks has said of him: “…Skiba is the sole embodiment of sun-baked passion. His delivery of the classic ‘Toreador Song,’ as well-known as any in opera, commendably eludes triteness. He imbues it with an appealing brashness.” Soprano Rachel Copeland, also of Bloomington, plays Musetta. Copeland is a doctoral student in music at Indiana University working with distinguished professor Timothy Noble. She most recently appeared with Indiana University Opera Theater in “Arabella” and “The Mikado.” Bass David Govertson of Chicago returns to DOT as Colline in his seventh opera with the company, and Bradley Smoak of Chicago, joins the cast as Schaunard. “These are young, passionate singers portraying young, passionate characters – people who are artists and lovers in 1830s Paris,” said Muspratt. “They are what make this production so authentic.” DOT also welcomes back Stage Director Michael La Tour, master teacher and stage director for the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists. La Tour has successfully directed, choreographed and performed in more than 45 countries worldwide. Tickets to “La Boheme” are $43 for adults, $41 for senior citizens, and $33 for students and patrons under 17. To purchase, call 630-942-4000 or visit www.atthemac.org. DuPage Opera Theatre La Boheme Music by Giacomo Puccini Editors note: La Boheme is one of the best known, most played Operas of all time and the DuPage Opera is one of the tops in their productions....it should be wonderful. Friday, July 20, 2007, 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 21, 2007, 8 p.m. Friday, July 27, 2007, 8 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 2007 3 pm. $43 adults / 41 seniors/ 33 youth Kirk Muspratt, Conductor Michael Latour, Stage Director Sung in Italian with English supertitles Experience the bohemian, merry-making café-life in Paris of the1830s when Maestro Muspratt brings alive the passions of four poverty-stricken artists. Rodolfo meets his true love, the ill-fated, seamstress, Mimi, while Marcello is smitten by the fickle, fun-loving, Musetta. As spring fills the air, these comrades band together to comfort Mimi in the dénouement of her life, a destiny that Rodolfo never would have written. http://www.cod.edu/artscntr/events.htm http://www.cod.edu/artscntr/ From East Take westbound Interstate 290 (Eisenhower Expressway) to westbound Interstate 88 (East-West Tollway), exit on Route 53 North. Drive north on Route 53 to Butterfield Road (Rt. 56), West (left- about a mile ) to Park Boulevard. Right on Park to Fawell Boulevard. West to college Arts Center.  |
