Washington National Opera Mounts New Production of LA BOHEME, Beginning Tonight

From Rodolfo's aching "Che gelida manina" to Mimì's tender "Sì, mi chiamano Mimì," to the riotous Café Momus scene featuring Musetta's famous waltz "Quando m'en vo," the music of La bohème is some of the most beloved in the repertory. The opera's appearances in popular culture are legion-from its centrality in the plot of the Academy Award®-winning film Moonstruck to its inspiration for the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Rent-making the story and its music instantly recognizable to even newcomers to opera.

Casting for WNO's new production of La bohème includes Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu and Siberian tenor Alexey Dolgov sharing the role of Rodolfo; both singers were last seen at WNO sharing the role of Edgardo in 2011's Lucia di Lammermoor. The role of Mimì is played by two singers in their WNO debuts: American soprano Corinne Winters, a native of Frederick, Maryland, who won raves for her portrayal of Violetta in Wolf Trap Opera Company's La traviata in 2013; and acclaimed Russian soprano Tatiana Monogarova, a mainstay of Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre.

The cast also includes American baritone and former Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Trever Scheunemann, last seen at WNO in this summer's world premiere of An American Soldier, as Marcello. Also appearing as Marcello is American baritone John Chest, who recently starred in several productions at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, including the title role in a new production of Billy Budd. Two American sopranos share the role of Musetta: WNO favorite Alyson Cambridge returns following her acclaimed run as Julie LaVerne in 2013's Show Boat, while Leah Partridge makes her WNO debut in the role following her celebrated run in the title role in Susannah this summer at Charlottesville's Ash Lawn Opera.

Australian bass Joshua Bloom and South African bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana, a 2013 winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, make their WNO debuts as Colline. American baritone and D.C. resident Steven LaBrie makes his WNO debut as Schaunard, sharing the role with American baritone Christian Bowers, a member of WNO's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. Italian bass Donato DiStefano, last seen at WNO as Bartolo in 2009's The Barber of Seville, sings the roles of Benoit and Alcindoro.

WNO Music Director Philippe Auguin leads the WNO Orchestra for the first time this season. He will also present a master class featuring members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program on Thursday, November 6 (see page 5 of this press release for more information).