What does 1940s Bronzeville have in common with 1830s Paris? Both were vibrant, creative hotbeds, which inspired the Florentine Opera to reimagine the Puccini classic La Bohème with Milwaukee’s historic Black neighborhood as its backdrop instead of the City of Light.
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With each opera it produces, the Florentine curates the production for a Milwaukee audience. The original La Bohème, which premiered in 1896, is a journey through the highs and lows of struggling artists making a beautiful life. “This immediately felt like Bronzeville to me,” says Maggey Oplinger, the general director and CEO of the Florentine, who describes the neighborhood as “the land of creative energy in Milwaukee.”
In the early and mid-20th century, Bronzeville was the epicenter of Black life and culture in the city. The thriving area of arts, entertainment, ownership and belonging was disrupted by interstate construction, which disproportionately affected African American neighborhoods. In recent years, Bronzeville has seen growth, especially in the arts. Dramaturge Sheri Williams Pannell describes its current era as a renaissance.
Pannell researched Bronzeville’s history for the production to ensure authenticity and emphasize details. Dialogue references luminaries like Duke Ellington and Josephine Baker who visited Bronzeville. Black-owned businesses from the ’40s, such as a nightclub called The Flame, also make appearances in the opera.
“My goal for this show is to really uplift the Black joy … while also layering in that things were not easy,” says stage director Nadja Simmonds. “But I really love to focus on Black friendships, especially Black male friendships, and how vulnerable and open you can be with each other in your struggles.”
This opera has been in the works for five years; it was first scheduled for early 2021, but COVID postponed the premiere. Taking advantage of the delay, the Florentine focused on involving more community members in the production and among the 40-plus singers. The company auditioned people throughout Milwaukee, in a range of ages and backgrounds, and chose seven locals for what it refers to as the Chorus Pipeline Project. Along with a paid position in the show, each Chorus Pipeline performer received free professional training, making them eligible for future work with the Florentine. “It’s been really exciting to be part of their musical growth and journey and have them be part of the storytelling with us,” Oplinger says.
Local muralist Ras ‘Ammar Nsoroma painted several pieces for the production, which are portrayed as the art of the character Marcello. “I figured [Marcello] was working from a theme, so I did a biblical theme, and I did one of Zipporah, Moses’ first wife,” Nsoroma says. “I made everybody Black because it’s Bronzeville.”
Three local youth groups will also perform in the show: the St. Marcus children’s chorus, performers from Pathways Milwaukee, and high school band students.
“It’s already a beautiful story and wonderful music,” Pannell says. “But it can take on an even greater meaning based on who is occupying the stage with their voices and their presence.”
La Bohème runs April 19-21 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. Learn more at florentineopera.org.
