Addio, addio senza rancor

I love La Boheme; I love every note of this opera.  I love to cry in both Acts III and IV.  Even though we've seen it several times at the Met we knew we wanted to go again when we heard that star soprano Anna Netrebko would be singing Mimi.  The Zeffrelli set is fantastic, especially in the Act II setting which includes a multi-layer scene in the Latin Quarter with Cafe Momus tucked under a street bustling with activity, the stores lit up on Christmas Eve and all of Paris out celebrating on a broad staircase leading up Montmarte. Of course, we will always hear Luciano Pavarotti's voice in our ear as he was the most wonderful vocal Rudolfo (although his acting left something to be desired).

Saturday night's revival included a rising young tenor Piotr Beczala as well as a wonderful ensemble of young Bohemians as Marcello (Gerald Finley), Musetta (Nicole Cabell), Schaunard (Massimo Calletti) and Schaunard (Shenyang).  This was a sold out performance and when I looked for tickets they were limited but I splurged on two upfront in the 6th row, center.  We've never sat this close at the Met and the experience was like the broadcast HD performances but obviously so much better.  This vibrant cast was completely believable as young artists in Paris in the 1830's (you may recall that Rent is based on La Boheme) and in our seats we were able to appreciate the subtlety of the acting, something that is not always obvious from our typical seats in the Grand Tier.

So is it any wonder that I cried during Act III, set in a beautiful soft snowfall when Mimi realizes she is dying and she and  Rudolfo decide to break up.  Mimi instructs Rudolfo to gather the few things she has left behind and she'll send someone for them.  The Met "title" system boringly translated Addio senza rancor as "let's part as friends" but I always prefer, "Goodbye, without anger". Then they postpone the breakup "We'll part in the season of flowers" and Mimi (unlike an Ithacan) says she'd like winter to last forever!