La bohème
A lost key and an accidental touch of cold hands in the dark – so begins one of the great romances of all opera. John Copley's production brings 19th-century Paris to the stage in vivid detail.
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When to see it
Booking for 9 July 2014 - 19 July 2014 opens
- Booking opens 8 April 2014 at 10.00am for General Public.
- Booking opens 19 March 2014 at 10.00am for Friends of Covent Garden.
- Booking opens 28 February 2014 at 10.00am for Supporting Friends.
- Booking opens 26 February 2014 at 10.00am for Premium 1 Friends.
- Booking opens 25 February 2014 at 10.00am for Premium 2 Friends.
- Meister
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Jaho
- Filianoti
- Werba
- Mihai
- Grice
- Park
- White
- Maxwell
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Meister
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Gheorghiu
- Grigolo
- Cavalletti
- Lungu
- Vasar
- Bretz
- White
- Maxwell
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Meister
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Jaho
- Filianoti
- Werba
- Mihai
- Grice
- Park
- White
- Maxwell
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Meister
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Gheorghiu
- Grigolo
- Cavalletti
- Lungu
- Vasar
- Bretz
- White
- Maxwell
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Meister
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Jaho
- Filianoti
- Cavalletti
- Lungu
- Vasar
- Bretz
- White
- Maxwell
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Meister
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Jaho
- Filianoti
- Werba
- Mihai
- Grice
- Park
- White
- Maxwell
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Meister
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Gheorghiu
- Grigolo
- Cavalletti
- Lungu
- Vasar
- Bretz
- White
- Maxwell
- Royal Opera Chorus
Introduction
When Rodolfo, a penniless poet, meets Mimì, a seamstress, they fall passionately in love. But their happiness is threatened when Rodolfo learns that Mimì is gravely ill.
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Background
La bohème got a lukewarm reception when it had its premiere in 1896, but its fortunes almost immediately changed. Giacomo Puccini's romantic depiction of bohemian Paris, with memorable music and a love story drawn from everyday life, has captivated audiences round the world, making La bohème one of the best-loved of all operas. It was first performed in Covent Garden in 1897 and has had over 500 performances here since.
John Copley's production recreates Paris in the 1830s, from the lively Latin Quarter, where hawkers and traders ply their wares, to a drafty attic where impoverished artists live. Rodolfo and Mimì's love story is given moving expression through Puccini's score, from their first meeting in Act I to their final, poignant scene together in Act IV. These moments of emotional intensity are contrasted with the colourful spectacle of the Café Momus and surrounding streets, which present a cross-section of Parisian society in all its noise and vibrancy.
Thanks to
Generous philanthropic support from
Yvonne and Bjarne Rieber and the Jean Sainsbury Royal Opera House Fund.
Original Production (1974) supported by The Linbury Trust
The Linbury Trust
How to support the Royal Opera House
Running time
About 2 hours 45 minutes | Including two intervals
Language
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Credits
| Director | John Copley |
| Designs | Julia Trevelyan Oman |
| Lighting design | John Charlton |
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Related links
- www.guardian.co.uk La bohème review - The Guardian
- www.youtube.com La bohème YouTube playlist
- www.rohcollections.org.uk La bohème: Costume, photographic & poster collections
- en.wikipedia.org La bohème – synopsis
- www.youtube.com Kasper Holten on La bohème
