La bohème
Beloved Revival
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Opera at the Academy
Performed in Italian with English supertitles
"Visually inventive and colorful"—Opera News
"An absolute success, full of fine singing and acting, and eye-filling stage direction."—The Philadelphia Inquirer
A chance encounter on a winter night changes everything for Mimì and Rodolfo, sending them into a deep, passionate whirlwind in the heart of Paris, living among other young bohemians who are making art and falling in love. This popular revival of Puccini’s romantic blockbuster features sets and costumes inspired and enlivened by Impressionist masterpieces from the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Soprano Vanessa Vasquez—known for “melting all hearts” (Chicago Tribune)—makes her Opera Philadelphia debut as the shy seamstress Mimì alongside Evan LeRoy Johnson’s Rodolfo. Baritone Troy Cook returns to the role he had in 2012, during which he offered “a strong, well-rounded portrayal of Marcello” (Opera News).
MapAcademy of Music
Dates are Apr.–May 2019.
| Fri, Apr 26 | 8:00 p.m. |
| Sun, Apr 28 | 2:30 p.m. |
| Wed, May 1 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Fri, May 3 | 8:00 p.m. |
| Sun, May 5 | 2:30 p.m. |
The running time is approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes including two 20-minute intermissions.
Production of the Palau de les Arts “Reina Sofía” in Valencia, Spain, in 2012
Opera at the Academy is underwritten, in part, by Judy and Peter Leone
Cast & Creative Team
- Davide Livermore Original Stage Direction, Scenery, and Costume Design
- Palau de les Arts Original Costume Design
- D-Wok Audiovisual
- Drew Billiau Lighting Designer
- Gregory Boyle Assistant Director
- Elizabeth Braden Chorus Master
- Lisa Anderson Production Stage Manager
- Megan Coutts Assistant Stage Manager
- Jennifer Shaw 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.