Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival's 9th Original Opera, 'La Bohème,' to be Performed at Weiwuying

KAOHSIUNG, June 18 (CNA) -- The Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival's original opera, 'La Bohème,' will be staged at the Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts on June 26 and 28. Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Chu Hung-chang recalled the grand occasion when this opera was performed at the Cultural Center in 2018 and stated that this new production, with a fresh cast and innovative stage design, will bring a different kind of emotional resonance.

Since 2015, the Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival has been producing original operas. Starting with its first opera, 'The Magic Flute,' it has successively presented 'La Traviata,' 'Carmen,' 'La Bohème,' 'Madama Butterfly,' 'The Elixir of Love,' 'Tosca,' and 'Rigoletto,' marking significant milestones for the festival.

At a press conference held today, Chu Hung-chang stated that the Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival continues to uphold its belief in "creating flagship opera productions that belong to Kaohsiung." This year, the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra presents its 9th original opera production for the Spring Arts Festival, 'La Bohème,' which is also one of the most frequently performed operas in major opera houses worldwide.

The organizer, Kaohsiung City Government Department of Cultural Affairs, announced that unlike the 2018 version, this production will be led by conductor Wu Yao-yu and the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra. The directing team includes Julia Langeder, spokesperson for the director of the German National Theatre Weimar, as director. The lead soprano role will be played by Ekaterina Savinkova, a principal guest soloist at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, and the lead tenor role will be performed by Mykhailo Malafii, a resident soloist at the Lviv National Opera and Ballet Theatre in Ukraine.

The Kaohsiung City Government Department of Cultural Affairs stated that the key roles in this production will be filled by a combination of domestic and international vocal artists, including Korean baritone Jeong Cheol-woong, as well as Taiwanese vocalists Fan Meng-fan, Chen Han-wei, Luo Chun-ying, and Chen Chi-an.

Chien Mei-ling, Deputy Director of the Kaohsiung City Government Department of Cultural Affairs, expressed gratitude to the performing artists and supporters who have participated over the years, noting that the performing energy of the Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival, after 17 years, has blossomed into a beautiful flower.

Wu Yao-yu, conductor of the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra, remarked that opera is a collaborative effort, and the orchestra's performance experience, as well as the backstage and stage design, are the rich results of years of refinement.

The Kaohsiung City Government Department of Cultural Affairs explained that 'La Bohème' is like a youthful anthem by Maestro Puccini, with its catchy melodies and touching storyline that brings tears to the eyes. Each character in the opera has a distinct personality and possesses rich, delicate passion, portraying the fate and lives of ordinary people at the bottom of society. The arias sung by the male protagonist, 'Your tiny hand is frozen,' the female protagonist, 'They call me Mimì,' and the second female lead Musetta's 'Quando m'en vo' (Musetta's Waltz), are all well-known arias from this opera.

The Kaohsiung City Government Department of Cultural Affairs announced that tickets for the Spring Arts Festival opera 'La Bohème' are currently available with a late-bird discount. Joining "Kaohsiung Philharmonic Friends" offers additional ticket purchase discounts. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ru) 0618

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