One of the worldѻýs most frequently-perfomed operas is coming to Kelowna and itѻýs set in the dark of winter.
Opera Kelowna presents Giacomo Pucciniѻýs La dzè, Aug. 18 and 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
The romantic, heart-wrenching tale follows a close-knit circle of poets, painters and performers who struggle for art and love amidst poverty and hardship.
Though La dzè was originally set in the 1830s, the companyѻýs production draws on the fashion and style of the 1920s to craft a unique and compelling aesthetic.
ѻýThe cultural impact of La dzè is undeniable. Its story inspired the broadway hit Rent; its music resonates across dozens of films and it birthed our romantic vision of the starving artist,ѻý said artistic director Alexandra Babbel.
ѻýAll of this is for good reason. Pucciniѻýs exquisite score speaks to our very hearts, eliciting fiery passion, pangs of melancholy, and joie de vivre in equal measure. We are thrilled to share our vision of this iconic work with Okanagan audiences.ѻý
Based on Henri Murgerѻýs 1851 novel, Scenes from the Bohemian Life, the opera is set in the frigid cold of a Paris winter. Its narrative follows the intertwined lives and loves of a small group of friends: the poet, Rodolfo, the seamstress Mimi, the painter Marcello, the musician Schaunard, the philosopher Colline, and the coquette Musetta.
A series of free concerts and community engagements will support and inform La dzèѻýs run. Details can be found on Opera Kelownaѻýs .
