Performer: Grazia Doronzio

For his first collaboration with the Dutch National Opera, Australian director Benedict Andrews emphasizes the modernity of Puccini’s most popular opera.

A joyful atnmophere in this production, thanks to the colourful staging and godible singing cast.

The Canadian Opera Company provides a traditional production (that’s a complement) of Puccini’s La bohème at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Its strengths are a well-sung Mimì (Grazia Doronzio) and Marcello (Joshua Hopkins), and fine directing by John Caird. The set design is very good except for the first act and the orchestral playing is sound.