Puccini
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
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
- 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
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 Bohème, Madama 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.