Opera on the Mall Broadcast of Puccini's LA BOHEME Kicks Off Festival O19

Opera Philadelphia's recent revival of Puccini's romantic blockbuster had audiences and critics captivated.

Now, opera lovers who missed its return at the Academy of Music, or can't wait to see it again, will have one more chance to see this beloved masterpiece on Saturday, September 14, at 7:00 p.m., as part of Opera Philadelphia's 9th annual Opera on the Mall at Independence National Historical Park. Opera on the Mall has brought free opera to more than 30,000 Philadelphians since its inception in 2011, with more than 4,000 attendees at 2018's broadcast of We Shall Not Be Moved. FREE tickets will be available to the public starting on Wednesday, August 14, at 10 a.m. at operaonthemall.org.

Regarded as one of the greatest love stories in opera, Puccini's La bohème embraces the passion and torment of bohemian life. A chance encounter on a winter night changes everything for Mimì and Rodolfo, sending them into a deep, passionate whirlwind in the heart of Paris, living among other young bohemians who are making art and falling in love. Desire, jealousy, and fate charge the score - and audiences with it.

Davide Livermore's production was first performed by Opera Philadelphia in 2012. Since then it has traveled to the Palau de les Arts "Reina Sofía" in Valencia, Spain and made its way back to close out Opera Philadelphia's 2018-2019 season.

The art collections of the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art served as the inspiration for the production designers, with vivid projections of some of the world's most renowned Impressionist art from the turn of the 20th century-including works from Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Cassatt- with costumes and other design elements influenced by paintings and drawings from the collections.

"The incredible collections from the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art provide a rich patina that combine with the lush melodies of Puccini to create new interactions with both art forms. We see Renoir's 'Woman Sewing' as Mimì sings of her job as a seamstress. Van Gogh's beloved 'Sunflowers' blooms in time with the love of Mimì and Rodolfo, and when he famously buys her a bonnet, we see Renoir's 'Girl With Pink Bonnet.'" said David B. Devan, General Director & President of Opera Philadelphia.

Opera Philadelphia's Jack Mulroney Music Director, Corrado Rovaris, leads the cast.

Soprano Vanessa Vasquez, a graduate of Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts, is the shy seamstress Mimì alongside tenor Evan LeRoy Johnso, a Curtis Institute of Music graduate, as Rodolfo. Baritone Troy Cook offers plays Marcello. Opera Philadelphia Emerging Artist Ashley Marie Robillard plays the role of Musetta.-Marcello's muse and sometimes girlfriend.

Baritone Will Liverman, who returns to Opera Philadelphia in September in the company premiere of Prokofiev's The Love for Three Oranges, is Schaunard, with bass Peixin Chen as Colline and bass Kevin Burdette in the dual role of Benoit and Alcindoro.

Opera on the Mall: La bohème, presented by PNC Arts Alive and Knight Foundation, will serve as a celebratory kickoff event for O19, Opera Philadelphia's third annual festival featuring twelve days of operatic events all over the city from September 18-29.

"Through PNC Arts Alive, we continue to help invigorate local arts organizations while bringing new and exciting programs to our community," said Joe Meterchick, PNC regional president for Philadelphia, Delaware and Southern New Jersey. "The creativity and collaboration demonstrated by the local arts community is evident in the programs that will be introduced, while enabling new visitors and residents alike to experience a diverse range of exhibits and performances."

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