ALFIE BOE (Rodolfo in La boheme)

ALFIE BOE ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON HIS ROLE AS RODOLFO IN THE ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA PRODUCTION OF LA BOHÈME


Q: I believe this is the third production of La bohème in which you have sung the role of Rodolfo, the others being Baz Lurhmann’s Broadway production and David McVicar’s Glyndebourne production. Is it a role with which you now feel a great affinity?
A: It's a great role to do but I've played the role of Rodolfo very differently everytime, but when it comes down to it, La boheme is all about the music.


Q: Do you think he’s a likeable character?
A: Once again, different productions have produced a different character, as for this one though, I don't think he's such nice a guy.


Q: Do you think you could have shared digs with him quite easily?
A: Probably not without belting him at some point.


Q: Was your life as a music student anything like the lives of Rodolfo and his friends?
A: Everyone has gone through the tough times as a student in someway or another, I never had a girl knock at my door, asking for a light for her candle and then ending up falling instently in love with each other.


Q: In this production by Jonathan Miller, the setting in 1930’s Paris is particularly grim. Is it very different to the production you did with Baz Luhrmann on Broadway?
A: Of course it is, Baz Luhrmann and Jonathan Miller are very different directors. Baz Luhrmann's production was spectacular and joyous to perform in. Jonathan's production is beautiful too it's own way but I have to say, pretty damn depressing.


Q: Is it hard singing in an opera that is so incredibly well known to the audience?
A: It is because some audiences will remember listening to a Pavarotti or Domingo recording and think that it's the only way to sing the piece, they expect it to be the same performance, that can be frustrating.


Q: Did you feel a lot of pressure when the performance was recorded live by Sky Arts?
A: Absolutely I wish it could of been broadcast live after a few performances but it was still a very good performance from everyone, nevertheless.


Q: What was it like having cameras backstage during the performance?
A: I think it's a great opporrtunity to show the audience what goes on back stage when a show is up and running.


Q: How much difference does it making singing the role in English?
A: "Singing in any language has it's challenges especially when the piece your singing was not written in English. But I think we all coped quite well."


Q: Are there other Puccini roles that you would like to sing?
There are many Puccini roles I would like to sing but all in good time.