“We are thrilled to welcome the return of this dramatic and imaginative production of Puccini’s beloved masterpiece La bohème, providing a fitting conclusion to our 2018-2019 Season,” said David B. Devan, General Director & President of Opera Philadelphia. “The incredible collections from the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art provide a rich patina that combine with the lush melodies of Puccini to create new interactions with both art forms. We see Renoir's Woman Sewing as Mimì sings of her job as a seamstress. Van Gogh's beloved Sunflowers blooms in time with the love of Mimì and Rodolfo, and when he famously buys her a bonnet, we see Renoir's Girl With Pink Bonnet. We are honored to bring this experience back to Philadelphia.” 

Soprano Vanessa Vasquez – a grand-prize winner at the Metropolitan Opera’s 2017 National Council auditions – makes her company debut as the shy seamstress Mimì, opposite Evan LeRoy Johnson as Rodolfo. Last spring, Johnson won acclaim for the “dramatic truth” and “effortless vocal production” (Philadelphia Inquirer) of his star turn as Don José in Carmen.  

Baritone Troy Cook reprises his Marcello from the 2012 production, in which he offered a “strong, well-rounded portrayal” (Opera News). Opera Philadelphia Emerging Artist Ashley Marie Robillard tackles the role of Musetta, Marcello’s muse and sometimes girlfriend. Joining the cast of young bohemians who are making art and falling in love are the “mellow-voiced and charismatic” (New York Times) baritone Will Liverman, who won raves as Dizzy Gillespie in 2015’s Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD, sings Schaunard, and bass Peixin Chen lends his “aural and interpretive beauty” (WQXR) to the role of  Colline. As Benoît and Alcindoro, bass Kevin Burdette, acclaimed for his “tour de force of vocal splendor and comic timing” (San Francisco Chronicle), returns to the Academy stage where he has garnered plenty of laughs and cheers in recent performances of Cold Mountain, The Barber of Seville, and The Elixir of Love. 

Tickets, ranging from $25 to $275, are now available at operaphila.org or by calling 215.732.8400.