Benjamin Bernheim sings the role of Rodolfo back to back in two new productions

Italian repertoire dominates the beginning of Mr. Bernheim’s 2017/2018 season, as he sings the role of Rodolfo (La bohème) and Alfredo (La Traviata) in several opera houses throughout Europe. He began his season with a role debut as Alfredo at the Deutsche Oper Berlin; a role that he will sing a total of three times throughout his 2017/2018 season. This role debut is followed by a house debut at the Royal Opera House in London. Mr. Bernheim sings the role of Rodolfo in Puccini’s La bohème in the new, yet traditional Richard Jones production of this beloved masterpiece. Nicole Carr sings opposite Mr. Bernheim as Mimì, Mariusz Kwiecien sings Marcello, Joyce El-Khoury sings Musetta, Gyula Nagy Schaunard, and Luca Titttoto Colline. Paul Wynne Griffiths leads from the pit.

Traveling to the city where he was born, Mr. Bernheim explores a very different version of the same piece as he again sings Rodolfo - this time at the Opéra National de Paris. When asked how he approaches performing such an iconic role in different productions, Mr. Bernheim recently commented in an interview, “Ultimately, when I work on a role I go with as much of an open mind as possible and try to avoid closing myself off from new ideas because one always has to be open to new ideas in this business.” (OperaTraveller) This perspective is certainly useful for the new Claus Guth production in Paris. The director envisions the bohemians on a failed mission in space, where visions occupy their thoughts as death approaches. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and Munuel López-Gómez, the production provokes a strong response from both critics and audience members alike. Nicole Carr once again sings the role of Mimì, while Artur Rucinski sings Marcello, Alessio Arduini and Andrei Jilihovschi share the role of Schaunard, Roberto Tagliavini sings Colline, and Aida Garifullina sings Musetta. Mr. Bernheim sings the role throughout the holiday season, with the last performance on December 31st. A limited amount of tickets remain, and can be purchased here.

Mr. Bernheim discusses interpreting the role of Rodolfo and other aspects of his career in interviews with OperaTraveller, Olyrix, and with Lionel Esparza on the radio show Classic Club.