Overview of La Bohème at the Metropolitan Opera
About the Production:
Puccini’s timeless opera, La Bohème, returns to the Metropolitan Opera with Franco Zeffirelli’s magnificent production. This classic tale of love and tragedy is set in 19th-century Paris, where a group of bohemian artists navigate the challenges of life and love. The production is renowned for its stunning set design and emotional depth, transporting audiences to the snowy streets of Paris.
Plot Summary:
La Bohème is a four-act opera that follows the lives of struggling artists living in the slums of 1830s Paris. The story centers on the romance between Rodolfo, a poet, and Mimì, a seamstress. Their love story unfolds against a backdrop of poverty and illness, leading to a heartrending conclusion as Mimì succumbs to consumption.
Here’s a closer look at how their story unfolds across the opera’s four acts:
Act I:
In Paris during the 1830s, artists Marcello and Rodolfo warm their garret on Christmas Eve by burning a manuscript. Joined by friends Colline and Schaunard, who bring unexpected gifts, they manage to evade their landlord’s rent demands. After the others leave for Café Momus, Rodolfo stays to work but is interrupted by Mimì, a neighbor seeking help with her extinguished candle. They search for her lost key, find each other’s company illuminating, and decide to join the festivities together.
Act II:
At Café Momus, Rodolfo introduces Mimì to his friends. Amidst lively street vendors and festive cheer, Musetta, Marcello’s ex, arrives with an elderly suitor but seeks Marcello’s attention with a flamboyant song. She sends her suitor away and reunites with Marcello. The group joyously follows a marching band, leaving the suitor to foot their bill.
Act III:
Months later, at a city gate, Mimì seeks Marcello, living with Musetta, to express her grief over Rodolfo’s jealousy. Rodolfo confides to Marcello that he wishes to end things with Mimì due to her worsening health, as overheard by Mimì. Their love is rekindled momentarily, and they agree to stay together till spring despite their hardships, while Marcello and Musetta’s relationship ends tumultuously.
Act IV:
Back in the garret, Rodolfo and Marcello lament over their lost love. A playful distraction with their friends is interrupted by Musetta, who brings news of Mimì’s critical condition. They comfort the dying Mimì, who reminisces about her love with Rodolfo before passing away, leaving everyone heartbroken.
Performance Details:
- Opening Night: November 13, 2024
- Closing Night: June 6, 2025
- Language: Sung in Italian, with Met Titles in English, German, Spanish, and Italian
Cast and Creative Team
La Bohème at the Metropolitan Opera in New York brings together a spectacular array of talent, blending seasoned artists with emerging stars. The performances are led by a rotation of esteemed conductors and a diverse cast that embodies Puccini’s beloved characters.
Conductors:
- Kensho Watanabe: Performs on November 13, 16, 20, 24, 30; January 11, 15, 18
- Yannick Nézet-Séguin: Performs on January 22, 25
- Alexander Soddy: Performs on March 5, 8, 13, 17, 21
- Riccardo Frizza: Performs on May 25, 29; June 1, 6
Mimì:
- Ailyn Pérez: Performs on November 13, 16, 20, 24
- Eleonora Buratto: Performs on January 11, 15, 18, 22, 25
- Kristina Mkhitaryan: Performs on March 5, 8, 13, 17, 21
- Gabriella Reyes: Performs on November 30
- Corinne Winters: Performs on May 25, 29; June 1, 6
Rodolfo:
- Dmytro Popov: Performs on November 13, 16, 20, 24, 30; May 25, 29; June 1, 6
- Matthew Polenzani: Performs on January 11, 15, 18, 22, 25
- Joseph Calleja: Performs on March 5, 8, 13, 17, 21
Marcello:
- Boris Pinkhasovich: Performs on November 13, 16, 20, 24, 30
- David Bizic: Performs on January 11, 15, 18, 22, 25
- Anthony Clark Evans: Performs on May 25, 29; June 1, 6
- Luca Micheletti: Performs on March 5, 8, 13, 17, 21
Musetta:
- Emily Pogorelc: Performs on November 13, 16, 20, 24, 30
- Adela Zaharia: Performs on January 11, 15, 18, 22, 25
- Brittany Renee: Performs on March 5, 8, 13, 17, 21
- Gabriella Reyes: Performs on May 25, 29; June 1, 6
Schaunard:
- Sean Michael Plumb: Performs on January 11, 15, 18, 22, 25; May 25, 29; June 1, 6
- Gihoon Kim: Performs on November 13, 16, 20, 24, 30; March 5, 8, 13, 17, 21
Colline:
- Bogdan Talos: Performs on November 13, 16, 20, 24, 30
- Jongmin Park: Performs on January 11, 15, 18, 22, 25
- Alexander Köpeczi: Performs on May 25, 29; June 1, 6
Benoit/Alcindoro:
- Donald Maxwell: Performs on all dates
Creators of La Bohème:
Giacomo Puccini, a composer highly revered during his lifetime, crafted enduring operatic works, including La Bohème. Collaborating with librettists Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, who also worked with him on Tosca and Madama Butterfly, the team delivered narratives rich in poetic and dramatic elements. The production of this opera was masterfully directed by Franco Zeffirelli, with set and lighting design also by Zeffirelli and Gil Wechsler, respectively. Peter J. Hall contributed his expertise as the costume designer, enhancing the visual splendor of the opera.
Venue Details:
La Bohème is staged at the iconic Lincoln Center, specifically at 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023. This premier venue is a central figure in New York City’s cultural scene, offering a maximum capacity of 3,788, accommodating a large audience to partake in diverse cultural performances that include opera, ballet, and orchestral showcases, enhancing the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Music:
The music of La Bohème is notably lyrical and profoundly moving, characterized by its simple and incremental melodies. Unlike earlier operas that rely on dramatic leaps for impact, Puccini’s composition employs smaller musical intervals, mirroring the simplicity of the characters and their daily lives. This technique creates an immediate emotional connection, highlighting the subtle, real-life dramas of the opera’s “small people,” as Puccini affectionately termed them.
Run Length and Schedule: Metropolitan Opera – La Bohème
La Bohème at the Metropolitan Opera has a total estimated runtime of 3 hours and 5 minutes. The performance schedule is as follows:
- Acts I and II: 60 minutes
- First Intermission: 35 minutes
- Act III: 25 minutes
- Second Intermission: 35 minutes
- Act IV: 30 minutes
The house opens 60 minutes before the opera begins, allowing guests ample time to settle in. This schedule provides a well-paced experience, giving the audience intervals to reflect and refresh between the captivating acts.
