Regina Opera inaugurates 43rd season in new hall with `La Bohème’
After having to vacate its much-loved venue at Regina Hall, the Regina Opera has found a new home at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help (OLPH), at Sixth Avenue between 59th and 60th Streets in Sunset Park. A plush red curtain, larger stage and 500 soft red seats were available for this “rebirth” of a venerable institution.
Saturday, Nov. 17 was the inaugural performance. Giacomo Puccini’s “La Bohème” was a perfect opera. When principal conductor Scott Jackson Wiley’s baton brought out the opening chords and the 30-plus musicians responded so firmly, we all breathed a sigh of relief that the music goes on and the songbird prevails. The orchestra is now bi-level — some members are in the pit and others on ground level. It is larger than the old venue but still the same in its offerings and magic.
Mimi, a seamstress, was poignantly sung by Soprano Christina Rohm, who broke our collective hearts with her fine-spun and powerful soprano in such gems as “Mi Chiamamo Mimi” in the first act and “Addio Senza Rancor” in the second act. Her death scene was shattering, and many in the house were dabbing their eyes.