Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
Based on Scènes de la vie de Bohème by Henry Mÿrger
Sung in Italian with projected English translations

University Opera Theatre, Matthew Ozawa, director
University Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor
Featuring the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale and members of the U-M Marching Band

What could be more magical than to fall in love in Paris? In one of the most touching romances ever imagined, a poor poet of the Latin Quarter meets his charming young neighbor by accident and both become completely smitten with each other. The new couple and their group of artisan friends personify the values of the bohemian lifestyle, in which art and love stand before all else. These young Parisians live passionately and ardently – until, at last, life gives out. Set in post-World War II Paris and filled with tenderness and pathos, Puccini’s La Bohème captures the enthusiasm of youth and the joy of true love.

La Bohème has won the hearts of audiences since its premiere in 1896. It features the beloved and exquisite arias “Mi chiamano Mimi,” “Che gelida manina,” and the flirtatious waltz “Quando m’en vo.” The New York Times declared Bohème “the world’s most popular opera,” and new listeners continue to discover its timeless story through Jonathan Larson’s beloved rock-opera update, Rent. Whether this is your first experience or your tenth, La Bohème’s spirited music and universal tale is sure to capture your imagination and your heart.