Presented by Ellen Kent Opera and Dance International, the performance at York's Grand Opera House was classic in style, with delicate acting and well designed choreography. The set was colourful; the Bohemian spirit existed visually here and there on stage, indeed. All the four acts were fast-paced, except during the third act, when Mimi, the poor heroine, reappeared to seek for help from Marcello (Petru Racovita). Some might have felt uneasy about such suspense, in fact, the audience was stirring a little bit, perhaps out of slight impatience, but they soon came to know the necessity of such suspense toward the tragic ending. In contrast to the physically feeble Mimi, Elena Gherman’s Musetta is a very lively and cheerful character, whose comparatively more mature and less entangled relationship with Marcello is in parallel with that of Mimi and Rodolfo (Ruslan Zinevych). The famous quartet (‘Mimi’s farewell’) in act three was well done by the company - when Mimi and Rodolfo are sadly parting from one another, Mucetta and Marcello are at the same time singing in quarrels. La Bohème is viewed by some as a sort of tear-jerker because of the misgivings of the poor artists and lovers, sick at heart of physically, notwithstanding, there are comic elements on display as well, and the passion between the lovers is very touching, just as Puccini’s music. Such was faithfully presented in this performance. When leaving the opera house, some found themselves humming the aria ‘Mi chiamano Mimi, ma il mionome e Lucia….’ The scene where Mimi sorrowfully walks in the snow would perhaps haunt many of the audience for a while. The air was almost as cold as that imaginary winter in Paris, although it’s nearly April here. Wanyu | 
