Acclaimed US classical singer and one of Opera’s most sought after international tenors Noah Stewart will perform La Bohème’s Rodolfo in Cameron Menzies’ first live production at the helm of Northern Ireland Opera.
Alongside Stewart is soprano Gemma Summerfield making her debut in the role as Mimi and Northern Irish soprano Emma Morwood as Musetta who is paired with Yuriy Yurchuk’s Marcello. Joining these four principal artists will also be one of the country’s finest basses Graeme Danby who during his long career has made over 1000 appearances for English National Opera.
The creative team includes conductor Rebecca Lang who is one of the most versatile and vivacious cross-over artists of her generation with accolades in both Opera and Musical Theatre; award-winning lighting designer Paul Keoghan; choreography by Jennifer Rooney; set design by Claire Morrissey and costumes by Diana Ennis.
Conductor Rebecca Lang says of this unique production: “I love bringing theatre to audiences in unexpected spaces – it gives us all the opportunity to experience pieces in ways other than those which we anticipate or expect.” she added” “La Bohème is the perfect choice for us as artists to be part of the collective emerging from the rubble we have all had to endure.”
This bold new interpretation will be brought to life inside the iconic Carlisle Memorial Church in Belfast across four evenings. A historic focal point in the city, this beautifully decayed church provides the perfect atmospheric backdrop to tell the story about a group of Bohemians who are all searching and desperately trying to find their way in life and love.
Artistic Director Cameron Menzies adds: “This production gives us the opportunity to work with and employ a vast array of truly exceptional talents in all areas of discipline including 32 freelance instrumentalists in our La Bohème Orchestra, 16 chorus singers, numerous small local businesses, and a large number of freelance artists. This production will also be the first for Northern Ireland Opera to integrate the new creative roles from the NI Opera Studio into a main stage work, giving our studio members training experience within real situations.”
La Bohème is part of a varied launch programme selected by Cameron for 2021/22 and will lead Northern Ireland Opera into an exciting new era under his artistic direction. Cameron’s award-winning career spans the worlds of opera, theatre, music theatre, cabaret and film-making.
Northern Ireland Opera is an award-winning national opera company, and widely acclaimed as one of the most exciting operatic start-ups in UK and Irish history, with a philosophy of artistic excellence and risk-taking, underpinned by a bold and imaginative approach to programming and productions.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
