Francesca Chiejina, the US-based Nigerian opera singer, has continued to get commendations across the globe for her role in ‘La bohème’, an Italian four-act opera performance.
‘La bohème’ was composed by Giacomo Puccini, the late Italian opera singer, between 1893 and 1895. The project was based on a 1851 novel titled ‘Scenes de la vie de Bohème’ by Henry Murger, the French novelist and poet.
In February, Francesca featured in the opera, produced by English Touring Opera (ETO), the UK-based music company, wherein she played the role of Mimi, the seamstress who fell in love with Rodolfo, the poet.
According to the company, the project “is a story of young love, opening on Christmas Eve in a Parisian garret, where two lovers meet on a snowy night.
“Told with the most memorable music, from ‘Che gelida manina’ to the shattering brass chords announcing Mimi’s death, it is a classic tale of romance, friendship and mortality that captures the poetry and poverty of 19th century Paris.”
The company said the critically-acclaimed project is expected to run from March 4 till June 3.
Francesca’s role in the opera has become a subject of interest to many reviewers of the project.
In his review, Richard Morrison, the English music critic, described Francesca as the “standout voice” in the project.
John Allison, the artist and comic writer, also wrote: “Though boasting a sumptuous voice […] Francesca Chiejina is not the sort of soprano who craves being the centre of attention, making her Mimi ideally empathetic.
“One of the best recent alumnae of Covent Garden’s Jette Parker Young Artists Programme, she has the power to ride the orchestra where needed.”
Similarly, Claire Seymour, the music critic, wrote: “Vocally, Francesca Chiejina outshines all. Her Mìmì has a calm core that is heightened by the boisterous bantering and an inner radiance that can’t be dimmed by sickness or sadness.
“Sì, mi chiamano Mimì brings a lovely softness into the artists’ attic, and Chiejina and Botelho sing O soave fanciulla with persuasive feeling.”
On his part, John Groves wrote: “Mimi, whose tiny hand is certainly frozen in the bleak setting of the first act, is movingly sung by Francesca Chiejina, who gradually builds the role until by the end she has totally succeeded in making us feel involved with her fate and that of Rodolpho.”
Other reviews lauding the Nigerian-American singer’s pulsating performance in the opera can be seen here, here, and here.
Francesca is daughter to Anthony Chiejina, group head of corporate communication at Dangote Group.
She is renowned for her mastery of soprano and riveting voice. Francesca is a graduate of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London.
The opera sensation has also dazzled in several roles in projects such as ‘Rigoletto’, ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Don Carlo’.
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