“Just before the pandemic hit, the Columbus Symphony had fallen in love with performing opera,” writes Peter Tonguette in Sunday’s (1/30) Columbus Dispatch (OH). “The symphony had long partnered with Opera Columbus on its shows, but more recently had started presenting its own productions…. First up was Bela Bartok’s ‘Bluebeard’s Castle,’ … in late February 2020…. ‘We just conceived that idea of having one big opera a year, always produced at the Ohio Theatre,’ Music Director Rossen Milanov said. Now, nearly two years into the pandemic, those plans are finally coming into focus…. On Feb. 4-5, the Columbus Symphony and Chorus will perform Giacomo Puccini’s … ‘La Bohème’ in the Ohio Theatre … fully staged…. Pandemic concerns moved the symphony from the cramped environs of the orchestra pit to the more generous space of the Ohio Theatre stage….‘La Bohème’ also marks the return of the Columbus Symphony Chorus, which has not performed in the Ohio Theatre since before the pandemic. In addition to the reduced ensemble that will accompany ‘La Bohème,’ another small group of singers will participate in … J.S. Bach’s ‘St. John Passion’ [in] April. Then, the full chorus [will perform in] Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 on May 13-14.”
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