Students in the Opera Company of Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Puccini's La bohème at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on September 26, 2012.
Participating students are encouraged to post their reviews here on the blog. All reviews will be accepted, just make sure to include your first name, grade, and the school you attend.
Tell us what you liked about the story, the sets, your favorite character, or your favorite. scene.
Don't forget to support your opinion in 50 words or more!
Thanks!
Participating students are encouraged to post their reviews here on the blog. All reviews will be accepted, just make sure to include your first name, grade, and the school you attend.
Tell us what you liked about the story, the sets, your favorite character, or your favorite. scene.
Don't forget to support your opinion in 50 words or more!
Thanks!
Comments
My name is Kelly and I saw the La Boheme oopera with the Mount Rushmore Homeschoolers. My favorite thing about the opera was that the actors were very good at acting out their parts. The thing I liked least was that some people were clapping when they shouldn't have been. I think the actors were really good, and I think that the Academy is a great place to go for an opera. I liked how the pictures moved and I especially liked Starry Night because the stars swirled and twinkled.
This is my fourth opera and I've always liked it. I was bothered this time by the people clapping before they were supposed to. The rest of the evening was great!
I thought it was a good opera in general, but the end was a bit too sad for me. I highly recommend this opera for anyone who wants to see it. I would like to thank the opera company who allowed us to see this opera for free.
My name is Taylor and I saw the La Boheme opera with the Mount Rushmore Homeschoolers. My favorite thing about this opera was the art they used in the opera set. The thing I liked least was some of the other groups in the audience was loud. I had a great time and can't wait to go again next year.
Thank you!
Bristol High School
The other night was my first opea and I would see another. I used the book but I didn't show my parents.
I enjoyed everything about the opera. It was a very good experience as junior. It was different from a regular movie or a musical. I also like how the pictures corresponded and how they would change. It was a little confusing of how they spoke in italian but, the big screen helped a lot on translating it. The sets and customs were really nice as well. My favorite character was Roldofo he played his part really well. I will come back to another opera.
I would like to see another opera.
I did use the workbook.
I did not show my parents the workbook.
1.) This is my first time at the opera.
2.)I would like to see another opera.
3.)I did use the work book.
4.)I didn't show my parents the work book.
La Boheme was the first opera I have seen and I would love to se another one. We did use the workbooks and I did show it to my parents. The building was beautiful and I loved how much detail was put into the decoration inside. I really liked the way they portrayed the street scene outside of Cafe Momus. My favorite characters were Musetta and Rodolfo. Musetta's role was portrayed very well. The actress had a beautiful voice and I think she was a wonderful actress. Rodolfo's voice was amazing! He was such a great singer. I would say he was the best actor in the show. I really liked how they used perspective to make the stage appear larger. The costumes were so beautiful; especially the women's dresses. Overall the opera was amazing and I loved it.
This was my first time at the opera.
I would like to see another opera!
I have used the workbook.
I have showed my parents the workbook.
Since it was my first time at the opera I didn't know what to expect. But I honestly loved it! First of all, the building was amazingly beautiful and the performance was a lot better than I thought. I liked the outfits and the singing. The singing was impressive, especially because there were no microphones involved. I also liked the way the paintings changed and corresponded with what was going on in the play. The only thing I did not like was that I forgot my glasses and the subtitles were blurry. But that was my fault. My favorite singer was 100% Musetta! Her singing and the songs were my favorite of the whole opera. Although Musetta was my favorite singer, my favorite character was the little boy in Act 2 with the tiny flag. He was adorable! The set were beautiful too. Overall, it was an amazing experience.
I really enjoyed it, my favorite part was Act 4.
It was really serious and it got funny at the end with Marcello and Musetta. My least favorite part was Act 2, because it didn't expand the plot much.
Thank you for allowing us to participate.
My name is Jaylynn and i attended the La Boheme opera with the Mount Rushmore Homeschoolers. My favorite thing about the opera was the impressive props and stage setting. It was very interesting to see and set the mood right! I also really enjoyed the comedy throughout the opera and the singing. My least favorite thing was the long scene changes and waiting and when Rodolfo screaming for Mimi when she died..so sad! This is my first opera and looking forward to seeing many more!
I came with Mont Rushmore homeshcoolers and it was awesome!
Each year they get better and better! the sets were amazing! You could tell all work they put in to them, so much detaill, not just the amazing moving art work, or the relistice and beutifull snow, but the sensaition of depthe created to make the stage look bigger. Also, the actors were great, as were there voice, and I can't wait till next year!
Thanks for the opportunity!!!
Grade 5
Mount Rushmore Homeschoolers
My favorite part of LaBoheme was act 2. There was so much to see and I really liked that. The fire breather and the man on stilts were so cool. I liked seeing kids on the stage. I was wishing I was on stage with them. I liked that there were some funny parts in this opera. It helped me not feel so sad about Mimi.
The moving art was really awesome. I really liked seeing the stars moving on the starry night picture. I missed the lady winking. The snow scene was so cool.
I went to 3 operas so far and this was my favorite. I understood this one so much better because we read it out loud with our class.
The thing I really didn't like was how loud the crowd was. I understood it during act 2 because of all of the comedy and excitement, but there were times it was frustrating.
I also thought the Opera did an excellent job of costumes. The costumes really allowed the audience to understand the characters. For example, Mimi’s dresses were always simple, yet beautiful which gave insight into her poor background. The audience could infer that she was not as lavish as say, Musetta, who wore glamorous gowns throughout the performance. The Opera Company also did a nice job of allowing the paintings to match the mood of the opera as well as the costumes. At the final scene of the opera when Mimi is dying, she was in a blue dress lying in a red couch, almost mimicking the painting that was on display, which also depicted a woman in a blue dress on a red couch.
The aspect of the opera that most moved me was the music, specifically “ Me chiamano Mimi”. Because this song reoccurred throughout the opera, I was able to start to become familiar with music. Although I had heard a few songs before going to the opera, hearing it live really allowed the story to seem more real.
I also thought the Opera did an excellent job of costumes. The costumes really allowed the audience to understand the characters. For example, Mimi’s dresses were always simple, yet beautiful which gave insight into her poor background. The audience could infer that she was not as lavish as say, Musetta, who wore glamorous gowns throughout the performance. The Opera Company also did a nice job of allowing the paintings to match the mood of the opera as well as the costumes. At the final scene of the opera when Mimi is dying, she was in a blue dress lying in a red couch, almost mimicking the painting that was on display, which also depicted a woman in a blue dress on a red couch.
The aspect of the opera that most moved me was the music, specifically “ Me chiamano Mimi”. Because this song reoccurred throughout the opera, I was able to start to become familiar with music. Although I had heard a few songs before going to the opera, hearing it live really allowed the story to seem more real.
Thank you for letting us come and see things like this.
My least favorite was Act 3 because the part outside in the snow was a little slow.
Thank you for letting us see this opera. It is my favorite one I have seen.
Archbishop Wood HS
What I liked about the Opera was that we had really good seats and the actors were very talented, they seemed to enjoy doing what they do best, performing. What I didn't like about the opera was that the story it told was a little bit confusing to me, even with the English caption I was a little lost but had an idea of the main problem. Overall, I had fun and it was a great experience.
Archbishop Wood HS
I really like the seats we got in the play because from those seats we got to see everything that was going on stage and because it was easy to see and read the subtitles on the projector on top of the stage. I liked everything in the play and nothing actually disappointed me. The play was wonderful as were the seats and the bus ride there and the bus ride back, the only bad thing was the traffic but everything else was wonderful.
Archbishop Wood HS
What I thought of the opera.
I liked it and the only think I didn't like was how long the bus ride was and I liked it because it was a good experience.
Gina Correale
Grade 11
Archbishop Wood High School
Archbishop Wood HS
La Boheme was the first opera I attended. When I first found out that we would be seeing an opera, I figured that we would be sitting in our seats for two whole, tiresome hours with nothing to do-- but I was wrong. My school had fantastic seats, so it was great seeing everything up close. To me, what made the opera enjoyable was the humor that was incorporated into it.
I thought the actors and actresses worked very well together and seemed comfortable together on the stage. All in all, it was a good trip and I would most likely go back another time.
9th Grade
Hi, my name is Alexis and I attended the La Bohème opera with my school, Archbishop Wood. I had a lot of fun at the opera! It was a great experience. It was a beautiful love story and the singing was amazing. The only complaint I could have was that the english translation of the words were at the top of the stage. I was starring at the top of the stage instead of watching the opera. Maybe putting the translation at the bottom of the stage would help more. Thank You for the experience though, it was great!
ArchBishop Wood HS
I really liked going to the opera it was a very good experience and we had really good seats to see everything closely. The actors were very good at their job and seemed like they love what they do. The only thing i didn't like was i couldn't really pay attention to the opera because the caption were on the top of the stage.
ArchBishop Wood HS
My name is Emma and La Boheme was the first opera performance that I have ever attended. I liked it and thought that it was a great experience. The actors did a great job at performing and I thought it was amazing. What i didn't like was that I couldn't watch the play and what they were doing as much, because I would have to look at the translations. The thing about it was that they were high above the stage, so while reading it, you couldn't see what was going on.
The humorous elements within the plot added a lightness. It was a nice opposition to the impeding death of Mimi.
I did not like the segment of the stage the was movable. I understand it emphasized the change of scenery, but I think it should have only been used for that reason. Marcello and other characters were transported on it and I felt that that took away from the realistic aspects of the performance. It was successful when used for Musetta's character. It showed just how grand and extravagant she really is.
Overall, La Boheme was a fabulous experience that opened my eyes to teh joys of the opera. Thank you for hosting us students!
My name is Katie R. and I am a student at the Academy of Notre Dame. I thought the opera was amazing. All the actors and actress's deserve another round of applause for their outstanding performances. The performers were very developed and had a spectacular show! Not only were the performers great, but also the stage set up was awesome. I loved the technical aspect of the play. How the art on the screen changed as the play progressed. The best was the finial scene when Mimi is laying on the couch and when she dies her picture disappears. It gave a whole new visually stimulating dimension to the play. I believe this technical aspect blended very well with the overall vibe of the play. The play was about artistic young people who live in the Latin Quarter in Paris. The ever-changing painting really put the audience into the setting and gave a great background to the play. Overall this play was wonderful. I would definitely recommend it to my friends and if I had the opportunity I would see it again! Thank you for such a great evening.
My name is Barb and I am from the Academy of Notre Dame. My favorite scene from La Boheme is Act II in the Latin Quarters in Paris. All the actors were present in this scene and I was able to see them interact with one another. It was also the scene in which Musetta was introduced. She made a huge presence and caused quite a scene. I learned a lot about her character from this scene. This particular scene was exciting because there was so much going on within it. Musetta was trying to get Marcello's attention, but Alcindoro was still in the picture. The actors did a terrific job in this scene.
Archbishop Wood High School, Grade 9.
I really enjoyed the performance. The actors, costumes, music, and the over all experience were phenomenal. Although the ending was sad, the story line was intriguing and kept my attention throughout the whole show. The translations across the top of the stage helped a lot with understanding what was going on. La Boheme was my first opera I have ever seen, but I would love to see another one.
My name is Adrienne and I saw the La Boheme opera with the Mount Rushmore Homeschoolers. My favorite thing about this opera was Act 4 because it was so dramatic. What I liked least was Act 3 because there wasn't really a lot going on.
This was my fourth opera and I really enjoyed it, but I didn't like the fact that there were groups there that were clapping when they weren't supposed to. It was very inconsiderate. Other than that it was a great experience!
My name is Alexis F., and I saw La Boheme with the Quidnesset Point Homeschool group.
The first thought that entered my head when I stepped into the glamorous theater was, “This has got to be the most beautiful place I have ever seen!” After watching La Boheme, I was as pleased with the show as I was the architecture, if not more. The actors and actresses were exquisite in their performance; and the paintings, especially Starry Night by Van Gogh, brought the opera to life. One of my favorite parts was when one of the paintings of a woman winked at the audience. La Boheme was a truly amazing experience that captured my attention from the very beginning, and I would love to see it again!
La Boheme was my first opera, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found it to be extremely entertaining! The actors were funny, animated, and talented singers. Although I had studied the guide beforehand, I was glad there were also captions since many jokes would have been lost if not for the captions. I really liked the set designs, which incorporated famous art pieces, including Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” I loved the special effects, too, like when the stars in the painting lit up, and one of the portraits winked at the audience. My favorite scene was when the characters were in town, celebrating Christmas- the whole scene was fun and very engaging. Overall, La Boheme was an incredible opera, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to see it. Thank you!
My name is Peter and I attended the opera with the Archbishop Wood High School group. My favorite scene was in Act One when they first met. Both of them had an outstanding performance. I would difinitely go back to see it again.
My experience at the opera was spectacular. The people there are very nice and respectful. I loved the opera because of the relationship between the characters and how they interacted with each other. My favorite singer was Norah Amsellem. I think Norah is a very talented performer she is able to connect with the character she is playing. I liked the costumes of the opera in how they were simple yet elegant. I also thought the set of the opera where- the background changed was absolutely genius. The pictures portrayed the scenes very well.
My experience at the opera was wonderful. I thought the opera was very well put together. I really enjoyed the story. The actors were excellent in their portrayal of the characters in the opera. For instance, when Rodolfo found out Mimi was dead his reaction was very believable with the crying and the yelling. I like how the stage was set up. It was very nicely done. I like the fact that there were not a lot of props onstage with the actors because it helped me to be able to concentrate on what the actors were doing. I like how the background showed paintings. It made it look very beautiful.
My favorite character was Marcello. He was funny and serious when needed. I also liked the costumes. They were very well made and realistic. I really liked Mimi's dress. It fits her very nicely and the dress made her look beautiful. I loved the opera!
I have no real complaints. The effects were astounding and the music utterly amazing, I would definitely like to go again if given that chance. I love all the characters and actors due to the fact they all did an amazing job at playing their roles which really pulled me into the story.
My experience at the opera was astonishing, astounding, awe-inspiring, awesome, breathtaking, confounding, extraordinary, fabulous, fantastic, and incredible as always. I didn’t dislike anything about the opera, really. I thought everything was striking. I absolutely loved the opera house, it’s always so beautiful when I go, and the music is often very delightful. My favorite singer and actress there was the woman who played Musetta, Leah Patridge; she was pleasing to listen to, and she had a way of attracting attention to herself when she entered the stage and I liked the way she acted out her character, the way she developed an air of arrogance, which her character portrayed. I really liked the sets and costumes, they were very appealing, beauteous, charming, elegant, and tasteful. The set was also very realistic and cool. I liked the paintings and the simplicity of it all.
My name is Annie, and I am so lucky to have been able to have seen La boheme!
My favorite part of the opera was probably when Mimi comes to the apartment and asks for a match to light her candle, but then loses her key. When searching, Rodolfo finds the key, but hides it, just so Mimi can stay longer. When their hands touch in the dark, it was so romantic and cute!
Another aspect I enjoyed was especially in the very beginning, the artwork from the Barnes was displayed through the canvas and the large screen. I thought it was very creative. I do not have a least favorite part. I loved the whole opera. It is a beautiful story, and even though the ending is very tragic, it is still amazing. The actors and actresses were really talented and I was very impressed.
Thank you so much for the awesome oppertunity. :)