OP E RA
two divas, a dilemma and a drive-in San Diego Opera may have its live season after all.
METROPOLITAN OPERA stars Stephanie Blythe and Angel Blue, and a robust season besides, had been scheduled, and the orchestra contracted, when San Diego Opera general manager David Bennett was bushwhacked by the pandemic. But Bennett was determined to find a way to offer an October pro-
36 PERFORMANCES FALL 2020
duction of La Bohème, Giacomo Puccini’s story of 1830 Parisian bohemians. His creative thinking culminated in plans for a drive-in production Oct. 24, 27, 30 and Nov. 1 at a location to be announced: the audience in cars parked 6 feet apart, jumbo video screens, sound via FM radio and pricing ($200-$300 per vehicle) tiered to stage proximity. He hopes to be back in the 3,000-seat San Diego Civic Theatre by February for Puccini’s Suor Angelica
by pat l auner
and Gianni Schicchi but is “taking the season one step at a time.” Bennett is thrilled with his divas wherever they perform. Blue, last seen in San Diego in Turandot (2018) is, he says, “a hot, hot commodity right now, one of the most important sopranos today.” The statuesque Blue financed her undergrad and graduate education by competing in beauty pageants—she was Miss Arizona and runner-up for Miss California. She then moved to Europe, performing in 35 countries
and every major opera house over six years. Early in 2020, she starred in Porgy and Bess at the Met. But Mimi in La Bohème is her signature role; her 100 Mimi performances included her Met debut. She has no qualms about performing at a drive-in, but, given Bohème’s romantic plot, thinks the social distancing might be awkward— as would scenes that would normally have her “coughing in Rodolfo’s face.” Given union distancing guidelines, that’s
