A tale of young love and life

<p>Paris in the 1920s is the backdrop for the story of six young Bohemians experiencing the joys and tragedies of life in Cinnabar Theater’s production of Giacomo Puccini’s opera, “La Boheme,” opening Friday, Oct. 30 and continuing through Nov. 21.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>This is Cinnabar Theater’s third production of “La Boheme,” which goes to show how touching, timeless and popular this particular opera is.</p><p>“La Boheme is a grand opera in that it’s not grand,” said Elly Lichenstein, executive director of Cinnabar Theater. “It is one of the most intimate operas you’ll find. These six friends are living on the edge of Parisian society, trying to eke out living as artists while loving, laughing and even dying. It’s a very intimate story and one we find fits perfectly on the Cinnabar stage.”</p><p>Puccini’s four-act opera is based on the novel,“Scènes de la vie de Bohème,” by Henri Murger. The world premiere performance of “La Boheme” was in Turin, Italy in 1896, and conducted by Arturo Toscanini. </p><p>Since then, the opera has become part of the standard Italian opera repertory and is one of the most frequently performed operas internationally. According to Opera America, it is the second most frequently performed opera in the United States, just behind another Puccini opera, “Madama Butterfly.”</p><p>“We love it,” said Lichenstein. “It’s a unique opera. Every repertoire has one unique piece of work everyone wants to see, but ‘La Boheme’ also has great artistic value. Artists want to do it and the public wants to see it. It’s a great merging of those two things.”</p><p>The central focus of “La Boheme” is the love story between a seamstress, Mimi, and a poet, Rodolfo. Their passionate affair is plagued by jealousy and tragedy.</p><p>“This is a very romantic opera and it’s great for a date night,” said Lichenstein. “Be prepared with Kleenex, though.”</p><p>Elk Grove resident Leslie Sandefur stars in the leading role of Mimi, with Will Hart Meyer of Rohnert Park playing the part of Rodolfo.</p><p>“Our cast comes from all over the Bay Area,” said Lichenstein. “We have singers from San Francisco and a singer from Marin. Leslie, who is our main character, Mimi, is driving here and back every day from the Sacramento area. She’s one heck of a singer. She has an absolutely gorgeous voice.”</p><p>Cinnabar’s production of “La Boheme” will be performed in English.</p><p>“This is a great introductory opera for those who haven’t experienced opera before,” said Lichenstein. “It’s about young people. It has great melodies and lyricism. It’s got drama. It’s funny. It’s sad. It has it all.”</p><p>Show times for “La Boheme” are at 8 p.m. Oct. 30, Nov. 6-7 13, 20-21; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, 11 and 18; and 3 p.m. Nov. 1, 15. </p><p>Tickets are $35 in advance, $32 seniors and students. Tickets are the door are $38 general, $35 seniors and students. </p><p>For more information, visit call 763-8920 or visit www.cinnabartheater.org.</p><p>(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@argus courier.com)</p>