On Jan. 12, Opera Hong Kong will open a production of “La Bohème.” The production will bring together artists from around the world, including some local talent. The cast will also feature leading soprano Francesca Dotto in her company role debut.

Dotto has a history with Puccini’s masterpiece as it was with in the role of Musetta that she made her professional debut at La Fenice. That role launched her career and she would sing it at the Teatro San Carlo di Napoli as well as Teatro Petruzzelli. Now she has shifted her focus to the role Mimì, which she sang at La Fenice to great acclaim.  This week she will sing Mimì in Hong Kong in a production that sets the work in modern Hong Kong.

For audiences not in Hong Kong for the performances, Dotto will take on the title role of “Norma” at the Teatro Comunale di Bologna later in the spring and will also sing at the Teatro Massimo Bellini.

Recordings

For those not familiar with the soprano’s voice, Dotto is featured on recordings of “Marino Faliero” from the Donizetti Opera Festival and “Turandot” from the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.