La bohème
London Coliseum
2/5 based on 1 review (read reviews)- Opens: Thursday, 26 September 2024 -
Booking until: Saturday, 19 October 2024 - Running time: 2hrs 05mins. Incl. 1 interval.
La bohème photos
La bohème description
This one’s hard to resist... so don’t resist it! Jonathan Miller’s hugely popular production of Puccini’s La bohème is back at the ENO to delight audiences all over again with its intensely beautiful music and delightful plot. Love, heartbreak and exceptional voices await you.
This beloved opera tells a story that never grows old, written more than 130 years ago. When Parisians Mimì and Rodolfo fall in love they believe their passion will sustain them whatever happens. But she falls ill and the realities of a life of poverty make themselves felt, threatening their love. No wonder La boheme appeals to everyone, from seasoned opera lovers to first-timers.
The opera’s lovely arias, including Muzetta’s Waltz and Si, mi chiamano Mimì, are sung by a glittering cast. Renowned tenor Joshua Blue joins the ENO for the first time singing the role of Rodolfo, and the ENO favourite Nadine Benjamin sings Mimì. Current Harewood artist, Patrick Alexander Keefe plays Schaunard, described as ‘one to watch’ after an inspiring ENO debut as the Marchese d’Obigny in La Traviata.
The singers
Joshua Blue made his Houston Grand Opera stage debut as Wilson in the world premiere of Intelligence by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer, conducted by Kwamé Ryan. His voice has also wowed audiences as Tamino at the Metropolitan Opera, and with the American Symphony Orchestra and Leon Botstein for Dvořák's Requiem at Carnegie Hall.
Nadine Benjamin MBE is a previous ENO Harewood Artist, known for her gorgeous soprano voice and a particularly skilled performer of Verdi. She was at the heart of ENO’s Olivier Award-nominated Blue, playing The Mother in the UK première of Janine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s exciting work. She also wowed audiences in the role of Musetta in ENO’s 2019 La bohème.
Sophisticated 1930s-inspired staging
The staging is black and white, oozing with drama and referring back to gritty photos of 1930s Paris taken by Brassai, the Hungarian–French photographer and film maker. Puccini’s wonderful score suits the context perfectly in this masterful production, directed by Crispin Lord and conducted by Italian pianist-conductor Clelia Cafiero on her ENO and UK opera debut.
Playing at London Coliseum
Age restrictions
Ages 12+.
Important information
Sung in English with the words displayed above the stage (Surtitles)