Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Preview: How Many Times Have the Stars of ‘La Bohème’ Taken On Their Roles At the Met?

By David Salazar

On Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, the Met Opera revives Puccini’s “La Bohème” with a star-studded cast.

Every single one of the major artists to take on the opera is a veteran in the part at the Met. So here is a look at their Met trajectory in their respective roles to date.

Sonya Yoncheva – Mimì

The Bulgarian soprano’s second-ever production with the Met was “La Bohème.” She appeared in the role on Nov. 14, 2014 in a cast that included Bryan Hymel, Myrtò Papatanasiu, and David Bizic. She would go on to sing the role six times during that season. This season she is slated for another six performances in the tragic role.

Michael Fabiano – Rodolfo

Fabiano has dominated the role around the world and yet he has only sung it five times at the Met. He first took on the part in 2014 alongside Angela Gheorghiu for just two performances. Then in Jan. 2017 he appeared for three showcases along Ailyn Pérez, drawing tremendous reviews.

Susanna Phillips – Musetta

It’s surprising that Phillips was not the only Musetta cast to sing this season, so strong is her hold on the role with the company. She made her Met debut in the role back on Dec. 15, 2008 and has since sung it a whopping 44 times since then. In 2011 alone, she sang it 18 times spread across the 2010-11 season, 2011 Japan tour, and start of the 2011-12 season. She took it on again in 2014 and in 2016. She also appeared as Musetta during the 2016-17 season alongside Fabiano.

Lucas Meachem – Marcello

The baritone sang his first “Bohème” performances with the Met this past fall, singing a total of seven performances. By the time this run is done he will have 13 performances of the opera to his name in the house.

Alexey Lavrov – Schaunard

Lavrov has taken on the role of Schaunard 13 times with the company, his first appearance in the role coming on Sept. 23, 2014. He sang the opera four times in that season, six times the following season, and three times last season, also with Fabiano and Phillips.

Matthew Rose – Colline

Rose has appeared as Colline 17 times at the Met, his first performance coming on Nov. 18, 2011. Incidentally, that was also his Met opera debut. He would sing the role six times that season, seven times in 2014, and four times this past fall.

Paul Plishka – Benoit / Alcindoro

For those interested, Plishka has essayed the two roles together 146 times since 2001. He has performed other roles in the opera, but he started to do the double role at the turn of the century.

Categories

News