AP News, May 24th, 2007
The Washington National Opera will simulcast a live performance of Puccini's "La Boheme" next fall to at least 17 colleges and two high schools across the country, aiming to create a new generation of artists and audiences.
The performance, which will also be shown on the National Mall, will be shown Sept. 23 on campuses including Tulane University in New Orleans, the University of Virginia and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
"What is becoming really more and more important is being able to serve the nation," Placido Domingo, the opera company's general director, said in announcing the plans Wednesday. "I think this is a phenomenal possibility."
The simulcasts will give people who have never seen an opera a chance to experience a performance. He said the popular "La Boheme" is a good starting point for anyone.
"'For `La Boheme,' better known as 'Rent' for the young people ... we are bringing a production which is going to be very exciting," Domingo said.
The new production is set in "our days, just like it would be in 2007," Domingo said. It will be performed in the original Italian with subtitles.
Also Wednesday, the opera company announced plans to air several performances on XM Satellite Radio, including a holiday opera series of "Hansel and Gretel" to be performed at Washington's Lincoln Theater, a historic black theater that has struggled with funding in recent months. XM will also air 23 archived performances of the Washington National Opera.
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