Puccini’s La Boheme – Opera Santa Barbara (2002) – Santa Barbara News Press

A Passionate Connection in La Boheme.

Musically, dramatically, and theatrically this may be the company’s best work yet. The love story at the heart of “La Boheme” is particularly affecting in the new production at Opera Santa Barbara. Mimi and Rodolfo have rarely seemed so real, and the other delights of Puccini’s masterpiece fall into place around them with a rousing vitality…There is no mistaking their passionate connection. [Musetta’s] teasing waltz leads into an ensemble of enormous complexity that sends the audience out for intermission exhilarated…Every one of the roles was projected with fine style.

– Santa Barbara News Press, November 26, 2002, Michael Smith