This weekend Utah Lyric Opera will follow up on last year’s successful production of Verdi’s La Traviata with another audience favorite: Puccini’s La bohème. “The success of [La Traviata] surprised everybody,” said tenor and ULO education director Isaac Hurtado. “And we’re really excited about La bohème.”
Isaac Hurtado
The young Provo based company has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with, not only in Utah Valley, but all along the Wasatch Front. It’s quickly built a loyal following, thanks in part to its repertoire choices. “We want to do the top 10 operas to start,” Hurtado said. But instead of staging the works along traditional lines, ULO tries to go down a different path. “We want to take a fresh approach without making the composer turn in his grave.”
For Puccini’s perennial favorite, Hurtado said the story will be moved up a century to post World War II Paris. Changing the time period doesn’t always work convincingly, but Hurtado believes La bohème is an opera that can easily be updated. “It’s going to make the action and the decisions the characters make seem more contemporary.”
Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller
Headlining the cast will be soprano Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller as Mimi. Seegmiller has previously sung with the Utah Symphony and won a 2003 special ensemble Tony for her portrayal of Mimi on Broadway in Baz Luhrmann’s La bohème.
Joining her will be Hurtado in the role of her lover Rodolfo; baritone Christopher Holmes, ULO’s executive director, as Marcello; and soprano Jennie Litster as Musetta. Also in the cast will be young bass Colin Ramsey as Colline. “Colin is from New York who we flew in for this production,” Hurtado said. “He is an awesome up and coming singer.”
Hurtado added that ULO likes to mix area singers with guests for its productions. “We like to have a blend between local and outside talent.”
Stage director is Elizabeth Hansen. “Elizabeth has a film and theater background. She has a wonderful grasp of opera and she can get us out of our operatic stupor.” Conducting the orchestra, which will consist of local freelancers, is Stephen Dubberly. “He’s a genius,” Hurtado said. “We’re so lucky to have him back.” Both Hansen and Dubberly were here for last year’s La Traviata.
A week after the show runs in Provo, ULO will be taking the production to Sun Valley Opera in Idaho. It will be for one performance only, on Feb. 13, at Hailey Campus. It will be performed without orchestra. Instead, University of Utah pianist Larry Gee will accompany the singers. For more information log on to www.sunvalleyopera.com.
Hurtado is looking forward to La bohème and said everyone has been having a great time at rehearsals. “We’re having a lot of fun, especially with Lisa here. That’s been exciting.”
To learn more about ULO, log on to its website at www.utahlyricopera.org.
- PERFORMANCE DETAILS
- What: Utah Lyric Opera, La bohème
- Venue: Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W. Center St., Provo
- Time and Date: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8-9
- Tickets: $12-$25
- Phone: 801-852-7007
- Web: www.coveycenter.org