Burnaby Lyric Opera is bringing a beloved classic to life this week.
The opera company is staging Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts Feb. 23 and 25.
The tale of love, loss, deception and heartbreak is filled with some of opera's most memorable music. It tells the story of Mimi and her poet lover, Rodolfo, who live in a Parisian garrett among a group of bohemian friends that includes Marcello, a painter, and his lover, Musetta.
Burnaby Lyric Opera's mission is to provide performance opportunities for young and emerging professional opera singers, and this production is no exception.
The production stars Burnaby's Chloé Hurst, soprano, as Mimi. Hurst last performed with Burnaby Lyric Opera as Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and she also includes in her repertoire the roles of Gretel in Hansel und Gretel and Adina in L'elisir d'amore.
She recently returned from Beijing, China, where she made it to the finals of the popular TV talent program Xing Duang Da Dao.
Tenor Martin Sadd makes his Burnaby Lyric Opera debut as Rodolfo. Sadd has performed with Vancouver Opera's Opera in Schools program, Pacific Opera's young resident artist program and the Banff Centre's Opera as Theatre.
Returning to the Burnaby Lyric Opera stage is baritone Jason Cook, in the role of Marcello. He played Masetto in the company's Don Giovanni last season. Other roles include Belcore in L'elisir d'amore and Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro.
Gina McLellan Morel makes her mainstage debut with Burnaby Lyric Opera as Musetta. She comes to the stage with extensive performing experience throughout Canada, Europe and China.
Also joining the cast are bass-baritone Scott Brooks as Colline and Aaron Durand as Schaunard.
La Bohème is onstage Thursday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. in the James Cowan Theatre at Shadbolt.
Tickets are $32 regular or $27 students and seniors. Call 604-205-3000 for tickets, or see www.burnabylyric opera.org for more.
