La bohème

Returning to the ENO by popular demand, Jonathan Miller’s iconic production of La bohème, set in 1930’s Paris, carries you away with its intensity. Whether this is your first visit or your fifth, you’ll be swept up in an evening of hope and heartbreak, lit up by some of Puccini’s most exquisite music.

Overview

At the heart of the opera is a beautifully simple love story that rings as true now as when it was written 130 years ago.

A young Parisian couple, Mimì and Rodolfo, fall in love. They lead a simple, bohemian life. They’re poor – but want for nothing. Their love will sustain them, or so they believe. But as Mimì grows unwell, illness and poverty test their passion to the limit – and Rodolfo must make a terrible choice.

Discover more about the story of La bohème on our dedicated page.

Staging & Score

Miller’s classic production draws on Brassai’s photos of 1930’s Paris. As the photographer captured the city’s shadow-side as well as its glamour, so the production centres the energy of Parisian boho life away from the boulevards.

This mood is perfectly reflected in Puccini’s masterful score, which leads us from the first spark of love to its final flickering embers – through some of opera’s most memorable music, including ‘Musetta’s Waltz’.

Singers & Creatives

We welcome internationally renowned tenor Joshua Blue to the ENO for the first time. He takes the role of Rodolfo, appearing alongside ENO favourite Nadine Benjamin as Mimì. A former Harewood artist and part of our Olivier Award-nominated production of Blue, she stars as the seamstress after singing the role of Musetta in ENO’s 2019 La bohème. Current Harewood artist, Patrick Alexander Keefe, is Schaunard.

The revival is directed by Crispin Lord and conducted by Italian pianist-conductor, Clelia Cafiero, who makes her ENO and UK Opera debut.

Co-production with Cincinnati Opera.

The role of Mimì, performed by Nadine Benjamin, is generously supported by Barbara Bannister.