Opera Philadelphia

Puccini

La bohème

La bohème

Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
New Production
Performed in Italian with English supertitles

Opera's beloved bohemians embark on a new journey – from tragedy to hope, death to life, loneliness to love – in a visionary production from director and MacArthur "Genius" Yuval Sharon. The story and music are presented in reverse order, ending with the promise of new love and the joys of friendship, wine, and song. This bold take on Puccini's opus is itself a bohemian work of art, called a "stellar" new take that "literally turns back the clock" on this classic opera by the Boston Globe.

"It's not just a gimmick—it works. We leave the performance with the memory of Act 1's explosion of hope and promise, rather than the story's sad conclusion." – The Wall Street Journal

Opera Philadelphia has partnered with Art-Reach and Nicole Sardella to provide Audio Description for this production on May 7. Learn more>>

Watch Play

La bohème video

MapThe Academy of Music

Dates are Apr - May 2023.

Fri, Apr 28 8:00 p.m.
Sun, Apr 30 2:00 p.m.
Fri, May 5 8:00 p.m.
Sun, May 7 2:00 p.m.

Approximately 100 minutes with no intermission

A co-production of Detroit Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and Spoleto Festival USA

The Academy Series is underwritten, in part, by Judy and Peter Leone.

Major support has been provided by Ms. Lisa D. Kabnick and Mr. John H. McFadden.

Maestro Corrado Rovaris' engagement as the Jack Mulroney Music Director has been made possible by Mrs. John P. Mulroney

Support for the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus has been provided by Alice and Walter Strine, Esqs.

This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Cast & Creative Team

Corrado Rovaris
Corrado RovarisConductor
Yuval Sharon
Yuval Sharon *Director
Joshua Blue
Joshua BlueRodolfo Underwritten by Judith Durkin Freyer and Charles C. Freyer
Kara Goodrich
Kara GoodrichMimì Underwritten by Charlotte Watts
Troy Cook
Troy CookMarcello
Melissa Joseph
Melissa Joseph *Musetta Underwritten by Sheila Kessler
Benjamin Taylor
Benjamin Taylor *Schaunard
Adam Lau
Adam Lau *Colline Underwritten by Katherine and John Karamatsoukas
Anthony Martinez-Briggs
Anthony Martinez-Briggs *The Wanderer
Frank Mitchell
Frank MitchellAlcindoro
Matteo Adams
Matteo Adams *Parpignol
Michael Miller
Michael Miller *Custom-House Officer
Matthew Maisano
Matthew Maisano *Sergeant
A. Edward Maddison
A. Edward MaddisonPrune Man
  • John Conklin * Set Design
  • Jessica Jahn * Costume Design
  • John Torres * Lighting Design
  • Elizabeth Braden Chorus Master
  • James Blaszko * Associate Director
  • Jennifer Shaw Stage Manager
  • Megan Coutts Assistant Stage Manager
  • Hunter Smith Assistant Stage Manager
  • Philadelphia Girls & Boys Choirs Children's Chorus
  • *Opera Philadelphia debut
Giacomo Puccini

The Composer

Giacomo Puccini

Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, born on December 22, 1858, started the operatic trend toward realism with his popular works, which are among the most often performed in opera history. But the fame and fortune that came with such successes as La BohèmeMadama Butterfly and Tosca were complicated by an often-troubled personal life. Puccini died of post-operative shock on November 29, 1924. Learn more about Puccini.

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