Werribee’s Boyd Owen will be starring as the lovestruck poet Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème at The Melbourne Opera.
Puccini has provided a breath of fresh air for Owen as its middle-class nature offers a break from performing in traditionally aristocratic compositions.
One of the hallmarks of the “Verismo” movement (roughly translating to ‘true’ or ‘realistic’) in Italian opera is the portrayal of human characters, as opposed to divine figures.
“There’s this really beautiful mix of living that kind of dream of a confection of a very idealistic, young guy who’s just taking life as it comes and not thinking much about tomorrow,” Owen said.
However, the young poet and his other free-spirited companions are forced to face the harsher realities in life, a component that Owen says “produces the tragedy of the rest of the story” as the character navigates the challenges of love and making a living.
Nerves are an inevitable part of performing, but Owen has learned to master them in his 25 years of performing.
“It’s actually a big part of the journey as a performer, because nerves are everything.
“For me they shift, if it’s something new, or it’s a really significant event I still feel a little bit apprehensive.”
Through his study of music performance at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Owen has an intellectual interest in the science of the nervous system.
He explained that nerves are a complex set of physiological responses to a perceived threat that we can’t avoid entirely, but said “the things it then affects you do have control over.”
Owen also highlighted how different different voice types suit different performing styles, likening opera to the Olympics.
“This is a role that even five years ago my voice wouldn’t have been ready to be able to manage what’s required.”
La Bohème premiers at Athenaeum Theatre One at 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 18, and will run for three shows.
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au/la-boheme-tickets/artist/803953
Jaidyn Kennedy
