La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini Feb. 1 and 5, 1994 Discovery Theater ACPA Anchorage Opera I had a great time at this Anchorage Opera production. It was a well sung, balanced and thoroughly enjoyable show. I went twice; on our regular Tuesday evening while Barb was still recuperating from surgery, and again on Saturday when she felt well enough to go. Both were fine shows, with relatively little difference apparent to my ear. (The supratitles did work all the way through on Saturday, however). The young, vibrant cast was well matched. I found them most believable as bohemians-more so, in terms of energy and youth, than Placido Domingo and crew at the Met or the forgetableItalians at the Corn Exchange. These singers looked and acted like students and artists, and gave a wholehearted performance that won the audience entirely both nights I was there (and sold out the house several times). Oddly, Fernando del Valle's Rudolfo and Jean Braham's Mimi weren't the highllights, although each sang creditably and Valle really captured the spirit of his part. Barb thought Mimi too robust for the dying swan act, but I thought she was adequate. She sang well, a fluid, plaintive tone and clear high register, if sometimes a bit flat. Valle's voice was clean and sweet but weak, hardly projecting over the orchestra. The most energetic singers were Teresa Eldh as Musetta and James Demler as Marcello, each a powerful, capable voice. Robert Sapolsky (Schaunard) and Michael Douglas jones (Colline) sang and acted well. Michael McDonald did a fine job as Benoit and Alcindoro, singing a clean bass and acting well. I found Joshua Major's staging unobtrusive and effective; Steven Sulich was in firm command at the baton. The sets were sparse but workable; the snow real enough for make believe.