Performances slated for Oct. 15 and 16
– Opera San Luis Obispo (OperaSLO) will perform one of the most beloved of all operas, La Bohème, at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo on Oct. 15 and 16.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, OperaSLO’s production of this timeless classic brings to the stage the reveling in the romance of Paris. With a cast of close to 200 artists, the production is a countywide collaboration of the California Opera Association, Central Coast Children’s Choir, the Civic Ballet San Luis Obispo, Deyo Dances, and Studio @-Ryans’ American Dance. The opera is conducted by Brian Asher Alhaderff, directed by Heather Matthews, and choreographed by Andrew Silvaggio.
La Bohème is an opera in four acts by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini that originally premiered in Turin, Italy on February 1, 1896. The story is based on the book “Scenes of Bohemian Life” by French writer Henri Murger. The inspiration for the musical Rent and the film Moulin Rouge, this countywide arts collaboration captures the human heart and soul. A success from the beginning, La Bohème is one of the most frequently performed of all operas.
Set to the beauty of Giacomo Puccini’s lush score, journey with us to 1830’s France and a magical time when the renaissance of art, culture and theatre converged. Meet six young friends in Paris living on laughter and love and follow our two young lovers as they fight a tragic battle against fate. Share in the excitement of the city as us we explore the colorful theatrical life of this era.
Illustrating the artist’s struggle, La Bohème is the ultimate opera – tragic, beautiful and unforgettable. It is a grand theatrical experience featuring a full orchestra, choruses, ballets, soaring arias and an acclaimed cast of opera singers. This famous production has everything entertainment lovers want: a tuneful score full of familiar arias, sympathetic characters, contrasting love stories and a tear-compelling conclusion. Whether you are experiencing La Bohème for the first time or it is a cherished favorite, you are certain to fall a little in love yourself.
For tickets, call (805) 756-4849 or visit www.pacslo.org. For more information on OperaSLO, visit www.operaslo.org.
About OperaSLO
OperaSLO, formerly known as Pacific Repertory Opera (PRO), is the only professional opera company in San Luis Obispo County. Founded by Dr. Jill Anderson and the late Jean Cook, Opera San Luis Obispo presented its first-ever performance on June 4, 1985 at a “brown-bag” concert at Linnaea’s Coffee House in downtown San Luis Obispo. Over the next two decades, Opera San Luis Obispo grew from those simple scenes to fully staged professional productions, utilizing rising singers from SLO County and all over the country, plus local performers for orchestra and chorus. Since 1985, Opera San Luis Obispo has been San Luis Obispo County’s “voice of the opera.”
