Puccini's La Boheme, arguably the most popular of all operas, gets a face lift in 2008. The NBR New Zealand Opera's new production sees a vibrant cast and creative team bring this timeless classic back to life in a fresh and stylish way.

Heading the creative team and approaching Puccini from a modern perspective are dynamic Australians Patrick Nolan (director) and Ralph Myers (set designer). "The time period has been moved from 1830 to 21st century Paris so our production presents a world that contemporary audiences will recognise and relate to," says Nolan.

Win double passes: The Big Idea will be interviewing Tiffany Speight, who plays the principal role of Musetta. If you have a question for her about her role or her work then send them in to go into the draw to win double passes to the opening night. Read on for entry detailsPuccini's La Boheme, arguably the most popular of all operas, gets a face lift in 2008. The NBR New Zealand Opera's new production sees a vibrant cast and creative team bring this timeless classic back to life in a fresh and stylish way.

Heading the creative team and approaching Puccini from a modern perspective are dynamic Australians Patrick Nolan (director) and Ralph Myers (set designer). "The time period has been moved from 1830 to 21st century Paris so our production presents a world that contemporary audiences will recognise and relate to," says Nolan.

Win double passes: The Big Idea will be interviewing Tiffany Speight, who plays the principal role of Musetta. If you have a question for her about her role or her work then send them in to go into the draw to win double passes to the opening night. Read on for entry details"Our concept is driven by a desire to illuminate the story in a way which connects the past to who we are as a society and culture now," says Nolan.

In keeping with this modernisation, New Zealand's esteemed costume designer Elizabeth Whiting has created a range of sharp and imaginative costumes that place the characters in the Paris of today.

To realise this innovative direction, an outstanding cast has been secured, led by Opera Australia's sensational star Antoinette Halloran as Mimì. Fellow Australian, Tiffany Speight, returns to play Musetta after her acclaimed role in 2006's The Magic Flute. And the new glamour boy on the international opera circuit, tenor Jesus Garcia, who starred on Broadway in Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme, plays Rodolfo.

General Director of The NBR New Zealand Opera, Aidan Lang is thrilled with the cast and creative team the Company has lined up for this new production. "La Boheme is an opera about young people," he says, "so we wanted to secure an exciting, youthful cast and creative team who would, through an injection of freshness and energy and a contemporary perspective, create a memorable theatrical showpiece for audiences."

La Boheme is much more than just another tragic love story. It is a timeless celebration of youthful rites of passage, the proletarian struggle against poverty and the artist's quest for integrity. In Puccini's tour de force, audiences get the whole package - the tortured relationships, the resonant characters made famous by the likes of Melba and Caruso, Gheorghiu and Pavarotti, and the magnificent arias. Whether you are a Puccini enthusiast, attending an opera for the first time, or just a sucker for love, the story of Mimì and Rodolfo will totally captivate you.

The NBR New Zealand Opera Winter Season of La Boheme

Opera in Four Acts by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Giuseppe Giocosa and Luigi Illica
Sung in Italian with English surtitles

Conductor Emmanuel Joel-Hornak
Director Patrick Nolan
Set Designer Ralph Myers
Costume Designer Elizabeth Whiting
Lighting Designer Mark Truebridge

Mimì Antoinette Halloran
Rodolfo Jesus Garcia
Musetta Tiffany Speight
Marcello Marcin Bronikowski
Schaunard Robert Tucker
Colline Wade Kernot*
Alcindoro Richard Green
Benoit Roger Wilson (Wellington)
Brian McKay (Auckland)
Customs Sergeant Matthew Landreth+
Customs Officer Michael Gray+

With the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus

Accompanied by the Vector Wellington Orchestra (Wellington) and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (Auckland)

*PwC Dame Malvina Major Young Artist
+PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist

Sung in Italian with English surtitles, The NBR New Zealand Opera Winter Season of La Boheme opens in Wellington on Saturday 10 May and in Auckland on Thursday 29 May.

La Boheme tickets

Win double passes: The Big Idea will be interviewing Tiffany Speight who plays the principal role of Musetta. If you have a question for her about her role or her work then send them in to go into the draw to win double passes to the opening night.
Courtesy of the NBR New Zealand Opera's - we have a double pass for the opening nights in Auckland and Wellington.

Entry details

Email: The editor@thebigidea.co.nz with the subject line La Boheme tickets
Include: A question, your TBI username, your full name, contact details and the concert you can attend.
Eligibility: To be eligible you must be a member of The Big Idea. You must be able to attend the show and tickets are non-transferable.
Entries: Need to be received by midnight Thursday April 24.
Winners: Will be contacted by email on May 2.

The NBR New Zealand Opera Winter Season of La Boheme

WELLINGTON - St James Theatre
Sat 10 May, Thu 15 May, Sat 17 May (7:30pm); Tue 13 May (6:00pm)

AUCKLAND - Aotea Centre, THE EDGE ®
Thu 29 May, Sat 31 May, Thu 5 June, Sat 7 June (7:30pm); Tue 3 June (1:00pm)

Single Tickets: $49.50 to $159.50; Concessions available. Service fees apply.

Bookings: Ticketek outlets nationwide, Tel 0800 TICKETEK (0800 842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz. Bookings also at The NBR NZ Opera Box Office: Tel (09) 379 4068 or Tel (04) 499 8343.

17/04/08