Duke University is showing a free, live broadcast of Washington National Opera's new production of Puccini's "La Boheme" on Sunday, Sept. 23., at 2 p.m. Duke is one of 32 schools across the country locally presenting the live simulcast from the Opera House stage at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. This event is anticipated to be the largest ever simultaneous viewing of an opera in the world, with more than 45,000 expected viewers.
The event will be broadcast in Duke's Reynolds Industries Theater in the Bryan Center on West Campus. It is co-sponsored by Duke Performances and the Department of Music. For more information, call 684-4444.
"We're excited to be hosting the program because it's another opportunity for our students and community members to see and hear a quality opera production," said Susan Dunn, professor of the practice of music and director of opera at Duke.
"What a wonderful way to draw younger audiences to opera with this innovative new production of La Boheme from Polish director Mariusz Trelinski," said Placido Domingo, general director of Washington National Opera. "We are so happy to present this simulcast free not only to our school partners across the country, but also to anyone in the Washington, D.C. region who wants a taste of top quality opera -- for free -- at the Washington Monument on the National Mall."
Trelinski's "La Boheme," from Teatr Wielki National Opera Warsaw, is a fitting modern-day take on the timeless opera. Set in the present day, Rodolfo is a photographer and part of a contemporary group of artists searching for their identity and longing for a deeper and more profound connection with society. The opera is a human drama of loss and love, as the characters struggle with their careers and to truly connect with each other in a world that is increasingly connected technologically.