Puccini’s much-loved La bohème

La bohème received its world premiere at Turin’s Teatro Regio in 1896 and its Covent Garden debut the following year. Composer Giacomo Puccini was inspired by Henri Murger’s 1851 episodic novel, Scènes de la vie de bohème. The libretto was written by playwright Luigi Illica and poet Giuseppe Giacosa. It is currently one of the best-loved operas worldwide, and the opera most performed at the Royal Opera House.

A timeless love story

Beginning in Paris in 1900, penniless writer Rodolfo believes that art is all he needs – until he meets Mimì, the lonely seamstress who lives upstairs. So begins a timeless love story that blooms, fades and rekindles with the passing seasons. With its soaring love duets, intimate arias and spectacular chorus scenes, Puccini’s timeless Parisian tale has enduring appeal to audiences throughout the ages.

Puccini’s beautiful score includes highlights such as ‘Quando m’en vo’ and ‘Sì, mi chiamano Mimì’. Keri-Lynn Wilson and Evelino Pidò conduct three wonderful casts in Richard Jones’s captivating production.