La Bohème Is the Jan. 25, 2020, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast

Summary: Puccini’s La Bohème is the Jan. 25, 2020, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast, airing as eighth in the season’s 23 radio matinees.

In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Susanna Phillips reprises her Met Opera debut role of La Bohème’s Musetta: Susanna Phillips, Soprano @SusannaPhillipsSoprano, via Facebook Nov. 23, 2009

Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème is the Jan. 25, 2020, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast, airing at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and numbering as the eighth of the season’s 23 radio matinees.

Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini (Dec. 22, 1858-Nov. 29, 1924) set his musical score for La Bohème to an Italian libretto by Italian librettists and playwrights Giuseppe Giacosa (Oct. 21, 1847-Sept. 1, 1906) and Luigi Illica (May 9, 1857-Dec. 16, 1919). The librettists based their libretto upon Scènes de la Vie de Bohème, a novel published in 1851 by 19th-century French novelist and poet Louis-Henri Murger (March 27, 1822-Jan. 28, 1861). Murger’s novel gathers together stories that he had previously published in the literary review Le Corsaire in the 1840s. The stories are linked through settings in the Parisian Latin Quarter.

Puccini’s La Bohème premiered Feb. 1, 1896, at Teatro Regio (Royal Theatre) in the Piedmont region’s capital of Turin in northwestern Italy. The premiere took place in the opera company’s first of two buildings, both located on the same site on Piazza Castello (Castle Square) in Turin’s historic center.

La Bohème received its Metropolitan Opera premiere Nov. 9, 1900. Fifteen performances were offered during the 1900-1901 Met Opera season.

The 2019-2020 Met Opera season features three casts over 16 performances. Eight performances were offered in the autumn, in October and November 2019. The season’s last eight performances are scheduled in January, April and May 2020.

The season’s first performance took place Friday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (ED). The month’s second performance happened Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m.

Six performances were offered in November. The month’s first performance took place Saturday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. EST. November’s last five performances were scheduled on Eastern Standard Time (EST). The month’s EDT performances happened Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m.; and Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Five performances are offered in January. The month’s performances take place Thursday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 12, at 3 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday matinee broadcast, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m.

The season’s last three performances are scheduled on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). April’s solitary performance takes place Wednesday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. May’s two performances take place Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. and closing night, Thursday, May 7, at 8 p.m.

Update: The Metropolitan Opera announced via Facebook Thursday, March 12, 2020, the cancellation of the rest of the 2019-2020 season due to the Covid-19 virus pandemic. The Metropolitan Opera Archives Database (MetOpera Database) entry of March 12, 2020, noted the cancellation of 58 performances. Operas affected by the cancellation were identified as La Bohème, La Cenerentola, Così Fan Tutte, Der Fliegende Holländer, Kát'a Kabanová, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Maria Stuarda, Simon Boccanegra, Tosca, La Traviata, Turandot and Werther.

Update: The opera company's coronavirus-occasioned closure affected three of the 16 performances of La Bohème scheduled for the 2019-2020 season. The last three performances (Wednesday, April 29; Saturday, May 2; closing night, Thursday, May 7) were cancelled.

The four-act opera has an estimated run time of 2 hours 57 minutes. Acts I and II run for 60 minutes. An intermission of 35 minutes follows. Act III is estimated at 25 minutes. An intermission of 30 minutes. Act IV runs for 29 minutes.

Marco Armiliato conducts the season’s October, November and January performances. The Italian conductor made his Metropolitan Opera debut Nov. 9, 1998, in the opera company’s 1,048th performance of La Bohème by Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini (Dec. 22, 1858-Nov. 29, 1924). During the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Marco Armiliato also conducts Puccini’s Turandot and Macbeth by 19th-century Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901).

Emmanuel Villaume was scheduled to conduct the season’s last three performances (April, May). The French conductor debuted Sept. 22, 2004, at the Metropolitan Opera in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Ailyn Pérez appears as endearing seamstress Mimì in both October dates and five of six November dates (Nov. 2; Nov. 5; Nov. 9; Nov. 17; Nov. 21). She had been scheduled for the season’s last three performances (April, May). The American operatic soprano made her Metropolitan Opera debut Feb. 6, 2015, as Micaëla in the opera company’s 994th performance of Carmen by French Romantic Era composer Georges Bizet (Oct. 25, 1838-June 3, 1875). In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Ailyn Pérez also performs as Amelia Grimaldi in Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra.

Hei-Kyung Hong sings Mimì on Nov. 14. The South Korean-American lyric soprano made her Metropolitan Opera debut Nov. 17, 1984, as Servilia in the opera company’s eighth performance of Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito. During the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Hei-Kyung Hong also performs in the title role of Euridice in Orfeo ed Euridice by German classical composer Christoph von Gluck (July 2, 1714-Nov. 15, 1787).

Maria Agresta reprises her Metropolitan Opera debut role with her appearances as Mimì in January. The Italian soprano made her Metropolitan Opera debut Jan. 6, 2016, as Mimì in the opera company’s 1,251st performance of Puccini’s La Bohème.

Olga Kulchynska sings Musetta, Mimì’s friend, in October and in five of six November dates (2; 5; 9; 17; 21). The Ukrainian soprano’s appearance in the season’s first performance of La Bohème on Friday, Oct. 25, marked her Metropolitan Opera debut.

Jacqueline Echols appears as Musetta on Nov. 14. The American lyric soprano made her Metropolitan Opera debut Sept. 24, 2019, as Poussette in Manon by 19th-century Italian bel canto opera composer Gaetano Donizetti (Nov. 29, 1797-April 8, 1848). In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Jacqueline Echols also reprises her Metropolitan Opera debut role.

Susanna Phillips reprises her Metropolitan Opera debut role with her appearances as Musetta in January. The American lyric soprano made her Metropolitan Opera debut Dec. 15, 2008, as Musetta in the opera company’s 1,201st performance of La Bohème by Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini (Dec. 22, 1858-Nov. 29, 1924). During the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Susanna Phillips also performs as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro by 18th century Classical Era composer Wolfgang Mozart (Jan. 27, 1756-Dec. 5, 1791) and in the title role in Kát'a Kabanová by Czech composer Leoš Janáček (July 3, 1854-Aug. 12, 1928).

Jennifer Rowley had been scheduled to appear as Musetta for the season’s last three performances (April, May). The American soprano’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened March 19, 2014, as Musetta during the opera company’s 1,251st performance of Puccini’s La Bohème. In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Jennifer Rowley also performs in the title role in Puccini’s Tosca.

Matthew Polenzani appears as poetic Rodolfo in October and in November. The American lyric tenor made his Metropolitan Opera debut Dec. 19, 1997, as Khrushchov in the opera company’s 251st performance of Boris Godunov by Russian composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (March 21, 1839-March 28, 1881). During the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Matthew Polenzani also performs as Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth, as Rodolfo in the New Year’s Eve Gala and as the Italian Singer in Der Rosenkavalier by German composer Richard Strauss (June 11, 1864-Sept. 8, 1949).

Roberto Alagna reprises his Metropolitan Opera debut role with his appearances as Rodolfo in January. The French tenor’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened April 10, 1996, as Rodolfo in the opera company’s 1,031st performance of La Bohème by Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini (Dec. 22, 1858-Nov. 29, 1924).

Joseph Calleja had been scheduled to sing Rodolfo for the season’s last three performances (April, May). The Maltese tenor made his Metropolitan Opera debut Oct. 25, 2006, as the Duke of Mantua in the opera company’s 806th performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto. In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Joseph Calleja also performs as Gabriele Adorno in Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra.

David Bizic appears as Marcello, Rodolfo’s painter friend, who loves Musetta, in October and November. The Serbian operatic baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Feb. 18, 2014, as Albert in the opera company’s 74th performance of Massenet’s Werther.

Artur Ruciński sings Marcello in January. The Polish baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Feb. 19, 2016, as Sharpless in the opera company’s 857th performance of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. During the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Artur Ruciński also performs as Lescaut in Massenet’s Manon.

Carlos Álvarez had been scheduled to appear as Marcello in the season’s last three performances (April, May). The Spanish baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Oct. 2, 1996, as Germont in the opera company’s 805th performance of Verdi’s La Traviata. In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Carlos Álvarez also performs in the title role in Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra.

Andrey Zhilikhovsky appears as Schaunard, Rodolfo’s musical friend, in October and November. The Moldavian baritone’s appearance in the season’s first performance of La Bohème on Friday, Oct. 25, marked his Metropolitan Opera debut.

Elliot Madore sings Schaunard in January. The Canadian lyric baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Dec. 31, 2011, during the New Year’s Eve Gala, as Lysander in the opera house’s world premiere of The Enchanted Island, a pastiche of baroque music devised and written by British theatre director and lyricist Jeremy Sams.

Rodion Pogossov had been scheduled to appear as Schaunard in the season’s last three performances (April, May). The Russian baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Jan. 10, 2002, as Fiorello in the opera company’s 511th performance of Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Antonio Rossini (Feb. 29, 1792-Nov. 13, 1868).

Jongmin Park appears as Colline, Rodolfo’s philosophical friend, in October and November. The South Korean bass’s appearance in the season’s first performance of La Bohème on Friday, Oct. 25, marked his Metropolitan Opera debut.

Christian Van Horn sings Colline in January. The American bass-baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Dec. 6, 2013, as Pistola in the opera company’s 176th performance of Verdi’s Falstaff.

Tareq Nazmi had been scheduled to appear as Colline in the season’s last three performances (April, May). The Kuwait-born German bass and baritone’s first performance, in April, will mark his Metropolitan Opera debut.

Arthur Woodley appears as Benoit/Alcindoro, an elderly government minister who is enamored of Musetta, in October and November. The American bass made his Metropolitan Opera debut with his appearance in the opera’s opening night performance, Monday, Sept. 23.

Donald Maxwell sings dual roles as the bohemians' landlord Benoit and Musetta's admiring, elderly governmental minister Alcindoro in January. He had been scheduled for the dual roles in April and May. The Scottish baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut April 21, 2008, as Hortentius in the opera company’s 89th performance of Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment.

The 2019-2020 Met Opera season’s presentation of La Bohème marks the opera house’s 35th revival of a classic production by Franco Zeffirelli (Feb. 12, 1923-June 15, 2019). The Italian film, opera and television director and producer’s staging debuted Dec. 14, 1981, as a new Metropolitan Opera production.

Franco Zeffirelli’s production team comprises costume designer Peter J. Hall and lighting director Gil Wechsler. Zeffirelli designed the production’s sets.

The takeaway for La Bohème as the Jan. 25, 2020, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast is that Puccini’s poignant bohemian opera airs at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time as the eighth of 23 weekly radio broadcasts.

Susanna Phillips’ appearances in the 2019-2020 Met Opera season’s presentation of Puccini’s La Bohème marks the American soprano’s eighth reprisal of Musetta since her 2009-2010 Met Opera debut in the role: Susanna Phillips, Soprano @SusannaPhillipsSoprano, via Facebook Nov. 23, 2009

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Susanna Phillips reprises her Met Opera debut role of La Bohème’s Musetta: Susanna Phillips, Soprano @SusannaPhillipsSoprano, via Facebook Nov. 23, 2009, @ https://www.facebook.com/SusannaPhillipsSoprano/photos/a.185650282662/185655562662/

Susanna Phillips’ appearances in the 2019-2020 Met Opera season’s presentation of Puccini’s La Bohème marks the American soprano’s eighth reprisal of Musetta since her 2009-2010 Met Opera debut in the role: Susanna Phillips, Soprano @SusannaPhillipsSoprano, via Facebook Nov. 23, 2009, @ https://www.facebook.com/SusannaPhillipsSoprano/photos/a.185650282662/185655547662/

For further information:

“Debut: Susanna Phillips.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 352749 La Bohème {1201} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/15/2008.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=352749

“Debuts: Ailyn Pérez, Gábor Bretz.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355797 Carmen {994} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/06/2015.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355797

“Debuts: Anita Hartig, Jennifer Rowley, Nicolas Testé.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355378 La Bohème {1251} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/19/2014.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355378

“Debuts: Constantin Pluzhnikov . . . Matthew Polenzani.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 330264 Boris Godunov {251} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/19/1997.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=330264

“Debuts: Ekaterina Siurina, Joseph Calleja, Friedrich Haider.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 351611 Rigoletto {806} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/25/2006.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=351611

“Debuts: Emmanuel Villaume, Felicia Velazquez.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 351017 Madama Butterfly {789} Metropolitan Opera House: 09/22/2004.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=351017

“Debuts: Hei-Kyung Hong, Nancy Ticotin.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 278610 La Clemenza di Tito {8} Matinee ed. Metropolitan Opera House: 11/17/1984.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=278610

“Debuts: Gregory Lorenz, Marco Armiliato.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 331123 La Bohème {1048} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/09/1998.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=331123

“Debuts: Jeremy Sams, Elliot Madore.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 354269 World Premiere The Enchanted Island {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/31/2011.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=354269

“Debuts: Karel Mark Chichon, Artur Rucinski.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 356328 Madama Butterfly {857} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/19/2016.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=356328

“Debuts: Laurent Pelly . . . Donald Maxwell . . .” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 352500 New Production La Fille du Régiment {89} Metropolitan Opera House: 04/21/2008.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=352500

“Debuts: Maria Agresta, Kihwan Sim.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 356237 La Bohème {1281} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/06/2016.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=356237

“Debuts: Paula Almerares, Juan Diego Flórez, Rodion Pogossov .” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 350187 Il Barbiere di Siviglia {511} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/10/2002.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=350187

“Debuts: Peter Van Praet, Paolo Fanale, Carlo Bosi, Christian Van Horn.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355173 Falstaff {176} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/06/2013.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355173a

“Debuts: Roberto Alagna, William Shimell, Simone Young.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 323890 La Bohème {1031} Metropolitan Opera House: 04/10/1996.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=323890

"Debuts: Sara Erde, Sophie Koch, David Bizic . . ." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355319 New Production Werther {74} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/18/2014.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355319

“Debuts: Victoria Loukianetz, Carlos Alvarez, Vaclovas Daunoras .” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 326020 La Traviata {805} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/2/1996.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=326020

Marriner, Derdriu. “2019-2020 Met Opera Season’s Eighth Week Has Glass, Gluck, Mozart, Puccini.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Nov. 4, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/11/2019-2020-met-opera-seasons-eighth-week.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “2019-2020 Met Opera Season’s Fifth Week Has Gluck, Massenet and Puccini.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Oct. 14, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/10/2019-2020-met-opera-seasons-fifth-week.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “2019-2020 Met Opera Season’s Ninth Week Has Glass, Mozart and Puccini.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/09/2019-2020-met-operas-second-week-has.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “2019-2020 Met Opera Season’s Seventh Week Has Glass, Gluck and Puccini.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Oct. 28, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/10/2019-2020-met-opera-seasons-seventh.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “2019-2020 Met Opera Season’s Sixth Week Offers Gluck and Puccini.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Oct. 21, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/10/2019-2020-met-opera-seasons-sixth-week.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “La Bohème Is Feb. 24, 2018, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Feb. 19, 2018.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/02/la-boheme-is-feb-24-2018-met-opera.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “La Bohème Is the Jan. 14, 2017, Metropolitan Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Jan. 9, 2017.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/01/la-boheme-is-jan-14-2017-metropolitan.html

The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. "In light of the circumstances involving the coronavirus and in consultation with the Office of the Mayor of New York City, we regret to inform our audience that all Met performances have been canceled through March 31, including tonight’s planned performance of La Cenerentola. This Saturday’s Live in HD cinema presentation of Der Fliegende Holländer has also been canceled. Thank you for your understanding. Learn More: www.metopera.org/updates." Facebook. March 12, 2020.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/10163327604920533

“Metropolitan Opera Premiere: La Bohème.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 25000 Metropolitan Opera Premiere La Bohème {1} Lucia di Lammermoor: Mad Scene. Los Angeles, California: 11/9/1900.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=25000

“New Production: La Bohème.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 266920 New Production La Bohème {823} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/14/1981.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=266920

"Season Cancellation." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 357448 Season Cancellation March 12-May 9, 2020. Metropolitan Opera House: 03/12/2020.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=357448

Susanna Phillips, Soprano @SusannaPhillipsSoprano. “Being mischevious, yet again. Photo by Marty Sohl.” Facebook. Nov. 23, 2009.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/SusannaPhillipsSoprano/photos/a.185650282662/185655547662/

Susanna Phillips, Soprano @SusannaPhillipsSoprano. “Praying for Mimi's recovery in Act IV. Photo by Marty Sohl.” Facebook. Nov. 23, 2009.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/SusannaPhillipsSoprano/photos/a.185650282662/185655562662/