La Boheme
May 26, 2025 | 280 words | Opera
Even though opera is an acquired taste and does not have mass appeal, it can be appreciated in small doses by the uninitiated, as when we encounter a snippet of a haunting aria sprinkled into a favorite movie or streaming series, to underscore the feeling of a particular scene. And that’s a start.
If you ever find yourself tempted to dip a toe in the water and attend a live performance, the classic La Boheme by Puccini would be a good place to start. And seeing it at the Metropolitan Opera House in the Lincoln Center complex in New York City, one of the world’s premier opera houses, is also a magnificent place to be initiated into the art form.
Here is my report from the balcony of a recent matinee performance: The music and singing are heart-wrenchingly beautiful (of course) and the story is easy to follow. But even more important for the novice, there are subtitles on the back of the seat in front of you, making it possible to actually make sense of what is happening on stage.
There are also several breaks in the action to allow for changes in the incredibly elaborate stage sets. These breaks, along with one formal intermission, provides an important breather for those of us who lack opera-like endurance going in, and could be put off by the prospect of a three-hour show.
My apologies to the true opera lover who may stumble upon this modest little commentary, and is already enthralled by every aspect of seeing opera live. I am speaking to my fellow ‘great unwashed,’ and trying to prompt them to consider attending a performance for the first time.
Robert J. Cavanaugh, Jr.
bobcavjr@gmail.com