Join The Pitt-Greensburg Chorale and Chamber Singers for “La Vie Boheme!”

The Pitt-Greensburg Chorale, Chamber Singers, and the Campana Consort will perform “La Vie Boheme!” this Thursday, Nov. 20 and Friday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Campana Chapel.

Featuring music from “Rent,” “Moulin Rouge,” “La Boheme,” and more, the theme of the performance is centered around showcasing the life of an artist.

Kate Cramer, a junior who is double-majoring in creative and professional writing and communications, finds the rehearsal process particularly fulfilling. 

“It’s really cool to see people care about music,” Cramer says. “You don’t really see that too much. It’s been really nice to have the feeling that everybody wants to be there. Everybody’s enjoying themselves.” 

Director Chris Bartley says the decision to put on “La Vie Boheme!” was inspired in part by the approaching 30-year anniversary of the first performance of “Rent” in 1996. 

“It’s a theme of coming back to living as an artist that runs through ‘Rent’ and through other pieces. Living for love, living for art, living for passion. That, I think, is a really important message, and one that exists strongly within ‘Rent,’” Bartley says. 

This performance of a “Rent” medley comes at a time when the musical’s messages are proving to be increasingly topical.  

Nicholas Cataldo, freshman and future cybersecurity major, says, “I absolutely connect with the music we’re doing. It’s pretty relevant to today’s day and age, especially. You can really feel the modern emotions in people with the bohemian lifestyle.”

One of the central themes of “Rent” is how people afflicted with disease continue to express themselves through their art.

“Some of the real poignancy about how you live with disease certainly speaks to me now that I’m also 30 years older,” says Bartley. “Will I lose my dignity? Will anybody even care? That connects to me a lot more.” 

For some, the performance itself is the most rewarding part of the months-long rehearsal process. 

“I feel like we’re in really good shape,” Cramer says. “ I’m really excited for people to hear it. That’s always the best part. You don’t really realize that while you spent four months working on this music every single day of your life. It’s fulfilling to know that there’s going to be real human people coming to see it and listen to it.”

The Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Campana Consort have been working on and rehearsing for “La Vie Boheme!” the entire semester. 

“I feel confident that we’re going to have a great show,” Bartley says. “I think that we are gearing up to land exactly where we need to.”