Two Mimi-Rodolfos at Opera North who go from nought to frisky very believably

Purists might have winced at Opera North’s advertisement for its latest revival of La Bohème. ‘If you see one musical this year,’ it said, ‘see this opera.’ Such rhetoric might invite unhelpful discussion of the relative merits of each genre, but it also reflects the fact that this show is a refreshing, unfusty treat. Phyllida Lloyd’s updated production wears its 21 years lightly and, especially as revived by Michael Barker-Caven, is light on its feet, and unencumbered by the laborious attention to period details that we often see with Puccini’s warhorse (John Copley’s venerable production at the Royal Opera House, which starred the young Plácido Domingo when it was new in 1974 and which is finally going to be retired next year, is simultaneously the best and the worst example of this.)

To match the staging, Opera North had assembled two young casts, both of which I was able to catch, in matinée and evening performances on the same day.