The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the summer encore of the Met Opera’s “La Bohème” (from the 2017-18 season) on Saturday, July 27 at 12 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
An exciting young cast stars in Franco Zeffirelli’s classic production of “La Bohème”, the most-performed opera in Met history. Sonya Yoncheva stars as Mimì opposite Michael Fabiano as the passionate writer Rodolfo. Susanna Phillips reprises the role of the flirtatious Musetta and Lucas Meachem sings the role of her lover, the painter Marcello. The cast also features Alexey Lavrov and Matthew Rose as Rodolfo and Marcello’s friends Schaunard and Colline and Paul Plishka as Benoit and Alcindoro in this performance, led by Marco Armiliato.
“La Bohème”, the passionate, timeless, and indelible story of love among young artists in Paris, can stake its claim as the world’s most popular opera. It has a marvelous ability to make a powerful first impression and to reveal unsuspected treasures after dozens of hearings. At first glance, “La Bohème” is the definitive depiction of the joys and sorrows of love and loss; on closer inspection, it reveals the deep emotional significance hidden in the trivial things — a bonnet, an old overcoat, a chance meeting with a neighbor — that make up our everyday lives.
ACT I
Paris, the 1830s. The near-destitute painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo live with their roommates, Colline and Schaunard, in a garret in the Latin Quarter. As his friends leave to celebrate Christmas Eve at the Café Momus, Rodolfo stays home to write. He meets his pretty neighbor Mimì, and the two fall in love at first sight. Arm in arm, they leave to join his friends.
ACT II
At the café, Marcello’s former sweetheart Musetta makes a noisy entrance on the arm of her elderly but wealthy lover, Alcindoro, arousing Marcello’s jealousy. Tumult ensues, and Musetta, having sent Alcindoro away, eventually falls into Marcello’s arms.
ACT III
Weeks later, Mimì comes to see Marcello on the outskirts of Paris and tells him of her distress over Rodolfo’s jealousy. She says it is best that they part. Rodolfo, on the other hand, wants to separate from Mimì because he thinks her illness can only grow worse in the poverty they share. Mimì tearfully says goodbye to him, but overcome with emotion, the two decide to remain together until spring.
ACT IV
Now separated from their girlfriends, Rodolfo and Marcello lament their loneliness. Musetta arrives with Mimì, who is mortally ill. Left alone, Mimì and Rodolfo recall their first happy days. The others return, and Mimì dies, leaving Rodolfo heartbroken.
The 2024 Met Opera Summer Encores are generously sponsored by Chris Fladlien and Bea Hanks.