La Bohème in the suburbs

Michael Balter 10/02/2009 05:10:00 AM Culture
We've had a heavy dose of science and politics on this blog these past days, now for some culture. Last Tuesday, September 29, the French-German public television network ARTE broadcast one of the most sublime performances I have ever seen: A production of Puccini's La Bohème set in a housing project in the suburbs of Bern, Switzerland. The project is clearly for middle class rather than poor people, but nevertheless the concept was terrific and the execution of it near perfect. You can watch it (with commentary in French and lots of interruptions for reactions from people in the projects, which are actually quite interesting) in two parts at the links given below from ARTE's Web site. Be sure to watch all the way to the end, because Mimi's death scene is so original and powerful that it will knock you out (at least it did me; oh, sorry for the spoiler, Mimi does die at the end!)

The photo above is of Maya Boog, who plays Mimi, and Saimir Pirgu, who plays Rodolfo. That's the housing project in the background, of course.

Part I at this link.

Part II at this link.
Michael Balter

Posted by Michael Balter

I have been a working journalist for more than 40 years, beginning in Los Angeles as an investigative reporter and then in Paris as a travel, food, and science writer. For more than 20 years I have covered anthropology and archaeology writer for Science, Audubon, Scientific American, SAPIENS, and other publications. I have also covered sexual misconduct for The Verge, Scientific American, and others; I write about mental health, especially schizophrenia; and I engage in occasional media criticism. I returned to the USA in October 2017 after 30 years in Paris, and now live in the New York City area, where I currently teach journalism at City College of New York (I previously taught journalism at Boston University and New York University.) For more about me and what I do, copies of my articles, information about my book, and other goodies, please visit MY WEB SITE

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2 Comments

Anne Gilbert said…
La Boheme in a high rise? Interesting idea. And I did like that credits thing where Rodolfo and Mimi are singing that famous duet, as the high rise rises! Incidentally, my mother always said, that whenever she saw La Boheme, she always cried. It was the only time she ever did cry.
October 2, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Michael Balter said…
I don't blame your mother for crying! And I am very excited, as I just scored two tickets to opening night (October 29) of Jonathan Miller's production of La Boheme at the Opera Bastille in Paris; Natale Dessay will be performing in her first ever Puccini opera, playing Musetta. Watch for the opening night review right here on Balter's Blog.
October 3, 2009 at 11:19 AM
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