The second opera in Waterperry’s open-air season is Puccini’s evergreen La bohème, sung in Christopher Cowell’s new English translation and using Jonathan Dove’s excellent orchestral arrangement.
Instead of setting it in midwinter 1896 Paris, director Ruth Knight has decided to update it to 1939 and change the location to Waterperry itself, now owned by Benoit (Oskar McCarthy): the four friends – Rodolfo. Marcello, Schaunard and Colline – renting a small apartment at the top of the house. She has also changed the time of year to midsummer, which makes the fire burning in the grate seem a little superfluous! The chorus become servants and Land Army volunteers. By Act Four, history has moved forward to 1941.
Love interest, Mimi, whose hand is supposed to be frozen(!), is superbly sung by Faryl Smith, well able to convince us that she is dying of ‘consumption’ and showcasing a fine soprano voice, well-used. Act One’s big aria, often translated as “They call me Mimi, but my name is Lucia”, is a highlight, as the composer intended. The designer, Jennifer Gregory, has made her look quite ‘plain’ when we first see her, to emphasise her weak health, but she quickly grabs the audience’s attention, as does Ceferina Penny as Musetta, whose role seems more important than it often does, especially in her short scenes with Marcello in Act Three, plus Act Four where we learn how sympathetic she really is when she sells her valuables to help Mimi.
Colline’s ‘coat’ aria – he is going to sell his most treasured possession in order to pay for medicine for Mimi when she is very ill – though to be frank, he must be very hot wearing it on a sweltering midsummer’s day, as it is supposed to be, brings out a very warm, rich voice from Alaric Green, who is also a very subtle actor. Patrick Dow manages to get both the playful side of Marcello’s character, as well as the more serious moments and he is very effective when sparring with Musetta.
Puccini does not give the role of Schaunard as much importance as the other three friends, but Owain Rowlands exhibits a very pleasing voice, especially in the ensembles. At the performance under review, Robert Forrest’s voice sounded tired as Rodolfo, the top of the range showing signs of strain. The chorus of five: Lucy Breakwell, Tia Radix-Callixte, Cerys Herbert-Stott, Torn Law and Will Jowett, works very hard but are really too small in numbers to make much impact vocally.
Bertie Baigent conducts a lively rendition, bringing out all the pathos that Puccini imbued his score with: I was especially impressed with the unnamed harpist, and the string section belied their small numbers.
The outdoor main stage is a difficult venue to fill, even when singers are all using radio microphones, and clear enunciation is often a problem: if sung in the original Italian with English surtitles, the audience might be able to follow what is going on more easily.
Jennifer Gregory’s set, built for all weathers, but this year only having to cope with extreme heat, was workmanlike, with a huge staircase centre stage, leading to the Act Two party above the orchestra, but, as Rodolfo’s apartment was stage left, and the orchestra stage right, it did mean that there was an area centre stage which was hardly used at all.
Ben Pickersgill’s evocative lighting came into its own after sunset, enabling the audience to concentrate on where it was supposed to be looking!
In spite of the few caveats mentioned above, I enjoyed it. Recommended!
Review by John Groves
Puccini’s La bohème unfolds in a dreamlike Waterperry of the late-1930s – the decaying estate a bastion of bohemian artistry amidst fast-evolving world events. Expect soaring music, laughter, and heartbreak in an unforgettable night of opera beneath the stars.
In this reimagined La bohème, a band of bright young things inhabit a fantasy Waterperry – part rustic sanctuary, part bohemian haven where creativity thrives. When poet Rodolfo meets outsider Mimì, their instant spark glows amidst Bacchanalian revelry and creative passion. Yet, a creeping threat shadows their joy. Puccini’s radiant, emotional score carries their story with intimacy and beauty, revealing why this timeless opera continues to captivate hearts across generations.
CAST
Rodolfo – Robert Forrest
Mimì – Faryl Smith
Marcello – Patrick Dow
Musetta – Ceferina Penny
Schaunard – Owain Rowlands
Colline – Alarci Green
Benoît / Alcindoro – Oskar McCarthy
CREATIVE TEAM
Director – Ruth Knight
Conductor – Bertie Baigent
Set and Costume Designer – Jennifer Gregory
Lighting Designer – Ben Pickersgill
Assistant Set Designer – Hannah Kuchar
LA BOHÈME
Waterperry Opera Festival
8, 9, 12, 14, 15 August 2026
