Tacoma Opera’s “La Boheme”

Originally published on social media on October 12th, 2024

My mom treated my sister and I to this performance, and it truly was a treat — how sweet it is to dress up and spend time with the ones you love.

The show was filled with talent, voices that take your breath away, incredible set design, and even had a friend of mine in the chorus (it was so fun seeing you on stage Hailey).

Ever since we saw the film “Moonstruck”, by family and I have been curious about La Bohéme. Seeing Cher cry by Nick Cage made me want to experience that similar beautiful cry that a good story brings. My expectations were heightened and I was ready, but for me, the story did not deliver. Let me be clear in what I am seeing: the quality in which the story was performed was SPECTACULAR thanks to the wonderful Tacoma Opera. The musical material of the show composed by Puccini is also GORGEOUS! It is the story written by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa that I’m not a fan of.

I know I’m committing some sort of sin by saying I’m not a fan of this classic story frame that shaped movies/musicals like “Rent,” but I just do not find that type of romance compelling. Often in stories like these and “Romeo and Juliet,” the love at first sight is more attraction at first sight. Someone has to die in order for the “love” not to die. I’m no expert, but the relationships that do inspire me and perhaps bring a tear to my eye are those with a real bond, laughter, similarities, differences, debates, playfulness, and perhaps the passing of gas (I’m partially kidding). La Bohéme had everything else it needs to be AMAZING, the only thing that limits it is its limited understanding of real, true love.

I cannot emphasize enough though how talented Tacoma Opera is and what a privilege it was to witness these voices sing to the heavens. These voices calmed my spirit, inspired my imagination, and left me awestruck. Definitely a performance!