By STEVE SMITH [NY Times, 11 September 2006]

In a short behind-the-scenes documentary film screened before the third act of Puccini’s “Bohème” during the Opera-for-All celebration at New York City Opera on Friday, the director, James Robinson, called the piece “director-proof.” He was half right. While it’s probably true that the stirring passions and sumptuous music in this work can survive all manner of stage treatments, a smart production can definitely heighten the impact of Puccini’s powerful score.