La Bohème opera is rightly considered one of Giacomo Puccini’s finest works. It was first performed in 1896, when the celebrated composer presented his new work at the opera house of Turin. It seemed that the success of the performance was destined to come. However, contrary to all expectations, the audience reception was rather cold, and the critics’ comments were not unanimous. It took quite some time for La Bohème to be truly appreciated, and it subsequently became one of the most performed operas in history. Even today it continues to be performed on the world’s greatest opera venues.
The libretto is based on episodes from Henri Murger’s novel Scenes of Bohemian Life. Puccini’s music embodies the story of the talented and noble inhabitants of Paris’ Latin Quarter, for whom there are no greater values in life than art, freedom, and love. La Bohème is dramatised by the love affair between the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimi, whose feelings are doomed to perish.
Production Director – Ivan Popovsky
Set design and costumes – Andrei Klimov
Conductor – Yaroslav Tkalenko