Mar. 11 – Maestro Franco Zeffirelli, an example of the Italian genius, recognized all over the world, is back with his version of Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème. The opera will be transmitted live via satellite from the Metropolitan Opera in New York in Italian cinemas on April 8. The 91 year old Florentine director was 40 when he first realized his production of Puccini’s opera, staged for the first time in 1963. “La Bohème” is universally recognized as one of the most articulate operas in terms of directing and dramatic expression. Zeffirelli first staged “La Bohème” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1964, when he personally oversaw the scenography and direction. The Maestro remembers well that first experience: “Generally, actually almost always, I remember my shows thanks to the interpreters. Back then, my team was quite alright; but overall, my interpretation of the Bohème has always attracted everyone, young or older people, because it sets aside these generational differences.” The opera – in four acts, sung in Italian – tells the story of the passionate lives of four friends living in a cold attic in a Paris suburb, where – as they face tough and increasing poverty – their great artistic dreams encounted sweet and unforgotten young love. On the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, there will be Anita Hartig, Susanna Phillips and the Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo.
