MUSIC AND DANCE REVIEWS : BILINGUAL ‘BOHEME’ AT NORTHRIDGE

Western opera seems to be emerging as a carefully nurtured cultural effort in the People’s Republic of China. At least, evidence of that was provided by six strong Chinese singers who took principal roles Tuesday in the Cal State Northridge Opera Theatre production of Puccini’s “La Boheme.”

Part of a new cultural-exchange program between China and the United States, the performance used recent graduates of Chinese music conservatories--now members of the Central Opera Theatre in Beijing or the Shanghai Opera House--as high-spirited, vividly characterized Bohemians in fluid, traditional staging by Ye Ye, also of the Shanghai Opera.

The principals sang in Chinese (translation by Shi Rong Liu and Lin Miao), while the remainder of the cast--students at the university--sang an English translation by Richard Pearlman and Francis Rizzo. The juxtaposition of the two languages provoked occasional surprised laughter from the audience, which otherwise demonstrated enthusiasm and empathy.

Vocal production was a bit problematic. Some of the Chinese singers exhibited an uncomfortably wide vibrato (particularly among the higher voices) and a tight focus that scanted the expressive lyric qualities of the score.

Still, Yuefeng Huang made an appealing, idealistic Rodolfo; Qin He, an equally poetic Mimi. Caifu Yue was a perhaps too irrepressible Marcello; Fengyi Zhang gave a standard, tough-version Musetta. Weiyu Mao and Yalun Zhang were strong in the roles of Colline and Schaunard, respectively.

The home team sang wanly.

Michael Todd designed the handsome, economical sets; Jacqueline Lawson, the luscious period costumes. David Scott conducted a toiling student orchestra with sympathetic support.

The Chinese principals will appear in the same roles tonight. Cal State Northridge students only will perform Friday and Saturday.