Stars help ‘Boheme’ raise its game

Some new, glamorous-looking bohemians turned up in Los Angeles Opera’s ongoing run of Puccini’s “La Boheme” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Friday night.

It was as if the long-suffering landlord Benoit had finally managed to evict some of the residents of that cramped Latin Quarter garret, replacing them with a few who definitely looked capable of paying the rent. And if rent could be calculated in musical currency, yes indeed, soprano Angela Gheorghiu and tenor Roberto Alagna delivered. The couple, married in real life, lifted a performance far above the routine offered by the opening night’s ensemble cast last month.

While the well-built “Boheme” usually comes off acceptably with a young ensemble of equals, it jumps to another level when world-class singers get hold of the leading roles. That was demonstrated especially by the opulent-voiced Gheorghiu, who thoroughly inhabited Mimi in an emotionally convincing, multifaceted way that you don’t hear or see very often.

What a difference it made to hear the back-to-back hit Act 1 arias really sung this time, Alagna caressing “Che gelida manina” with ardent, languorous warmth and Gheorghiu drawing emotional blood from “Mi chiamano Mimi.” Even after many “Bohemes” together, the couple still manage to make their portrayals of Mimi and Rodolfo seem relatively fresh, with unfeigned, affectionate chemistry and natural-sounding give-and-take in their exchanges.

There was also a different conductor Friday, Emmanuel Villaume, leading his second performance of the run. He carefully indulged his stars’ every lingering, sometimes dangerously drawn-out phrase, turning on the gushing sentiment where his predecessor, Lawrence Foster, had been more straightforward.

A new, loud Musetta, Georgian soprano Eteri Lamoris, went a bit over the top vamping “Musetta’s Waltz” at a shapeless crawling pace. Bass-baritone Daniel Sumegi made an imposing if slightly shaky-voiced new Colline.

Overall, the presence of star power -- plus the jelling experience of several previous performances -- seemed to invigorate the production. Even the onstage brass band in Act 2 had more sass and vigor.

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‘La Boheme’

Where: Los Angeles Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A.

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Friday and Sunday (Alagna and Gheorghiu on Tuesday and Friday only)

Price: $25 to $190

Contact: (213) 972-8001 or www.losangelesopera.com