La bohème is consistently one of the most regularly performed operas in the world. As part of the Autumn 2022 Season, Welsh National Opera’s timeless production returns to the stage with an all-star cast. But, with so many productions and performances taking place across the globe, year after year, how is it possible to create a distinctive production and place a unique spin on these well-loved characters? We sat down with our two Mimìs, Anush Hovhannisyan and Elin Pritchard, to hear more about their inspiration, creative process and how they went about making Mimì their own.
What did you take inspiration from when preparing for the role of Mimì?
Elin: I felt I needed to strip Mimì right back and start from the beginning with this wonderful character. I listened to numerous recordings, read a lot about the opera and Puccini and his life especially around the time of composing La bohème and ended up studying people while having coffee or lunch to see if they had any of Mimì’s traits in them.
Anush: Thanks to the genius of Puccini everything is in the music, I didn't have to do much digging to find the character of Mimì. It is a great joy to be able to work on such a brilliantly conceived piece.
How did you go about trying to make Mimì your own?
Anush: I have performed the role of Musetta in numerous productions, and I adore her. When I started working on Mimì, I seeded a part of Musetta in Mimì. I think there are more similarities between the two female protagonists than we see at the first glance. They both must take care of themselves and are trying to enjoy life within the frames that society had at the time. They are fun and adventurous, but both are real and mature characters as opposed to the boys, who somewhat exist in Neverland.
Elin: Mimì is tricky to play, it's easy to do far too much with her between spinning the text, music, physicality, relationships with the others on stage, and of course, the singing. Hopefully I'm able to embody an honest performance of her.
What makes Mimìso endearing?
Elin: She's honest and caring. She is always there for everyone else.
Anush: She is fun, decisive, and adventurous. Despite her love of having fun, she is loyal and dedicated. She is the ultimate optimist which makes her a very strong character.
Is there anything in Mimì’s character that you relate to?
Anush: The zest for life and the way she relates to people are very much what I am like. Those who get to watch the show will see real friendship on the stage among the cast. We were having a huge amount of fun during the rehearsals, to an extent that we had to be separated at times.
Elin: There's something about Mimì that's extremely close to the bone for me. Off stage and at home I am quiet and would like to think I'm caring of others around me. I don't think I’d necessarily fall head over heels for Rodolfo like she does, however I do feel I am constant, considerate, caring, and humble like Mimì.
Enjoy Anush and Elin’s interpretations of Mimì in our wonderful production of Puccini’s La bohème this Season, visiting Plymouth, Birmingham, Southampton, and Oxford until 3 December.