One of the opera world’s favourite love stories and probably Puccini’s most celebrated work, La bohème returns this autumn to the London Coliseum with a “stylish and acclaimed production” inspired by photographs of the 1930s Paris Left Bank.
A four-act opera based on Henri Murger’s 1851 book, La Vie de Bohème, La bohème was an instant hit when it premiered in Turin in 1896 and was soon an international success with productions wowing audiences in opera houses in across Europe, the UK and America. The popularity of this tale of an ill-fated relationship between an impoverished poet and a seamstress has never waned.
Set in the vibrant and indeed Bohemian 1930s Paris, ENO’s third revival of this ravishing tear jerker with a stirring and dynamic score is a co-production with Cincinnati Opera. It sees Jonathan Miller directing a cast starring Angel Blue as seamstress Mimì and David Butt Philip as impoverished poet Rodolfo. George von Bergen is Marcello while Andrew Shore plays the cameo roles of Benoit and Alcindoro.
Sung and surtitled in English with a running time of just over two hours, the ENO production of La bohème runs from 29 October to 14 December at the London Coliseum, St. Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES.
Pre-performance talks are scheduled for 3 November at 17.15, and there’s to be signed performance on 20 November.
To find out more and to book tickets go to eno.org/boheme.
