Dingle Yandell, Patrick Alexander Keefe, Charles Rice, Paul Sheehan, Joshua Blue, ENO’s La boheme 2024 © Lloyd WintersAct I opens at the freezing garret where Rodolfo (British/American tenor Joshua Blue), Marcello (baritone Charles Rice), Colline (bass-baritone Dingle Yandell) and Shaunard (baritone Patrick Alexander Keefe) share lodgings. The rag-tag group of a poet, philosopher, artist and musician act as a metaphor for the wider Parisian human-scape. Usually set in 1830, in Miller’s staging we are transported to Paris circa 1930 between the wars, where the four josh and cajole each other in their rumbustious bonhomie — there’s even a little mock sword play with baguettes later in the production. As they decide to head out to the nearby cafe, Rodolfo stays behind to complete some work on his latest poem and is disturbed by neighbouring tenant Mimi, a seamstress whose candle has blown out. They talk, and soon realise a mutual attraction which develops to the point that Mimi accompanies Rodolfo when he goes to join his friends. In Act II the cafe scene introduces us to Marcello’s former paramour Musetta (South African soprano Vuvu Mpofu) who has taken-up with an older and richer benefactor. As the scenes progress we learn that Mimi and Rodolfo have become an established couple but that Rudolfo lives under the terror that Mimi’s sickness (consumption) will take her from him. The final scenes realise his fear when Mimi succumbs to her condition surrounded by the friends.
At the performance which I attended, Nadine Benjamin was indisposed and unable to play the role of Mimi. At short notice the young soprano Madeline Boreham who is currently studying at the Royal College of Music, stepped-in, managing to deliver the arias and duets, ensuring the audience were able to enjoy a performance rather than having to return home. Such instances are always difficult to review given the artists unfamiliarity with the staging and briefest of possible rehearsals with fellow cast members, but suffice to say Ms Boreham certainly has notes which as she develops as an artiste, promise a regular career - particularly in works by Strauss, Lehar and Verdi. Joshua Blue’s reedy tenor wasn’t helped by the odd acoustics which this set has previously caused issues for with the male cast members. Patrick Alexander Keefe's baritone also struggled to traverse the footlights of the Coliseum’s enormous auditorium. However, both Charles Rice and more particularly Dingle Yandell excelled in delivering the richness and resonant tone which thrills audiences.
La bohème is at the London Coliseum until 19 October.
