Giacomo Puccini

La bohème

Passion amidst the Parisian rooftops.

15 Oct–19 Oct 2024

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.

'...an extremely compelling performance’

The Guardian

'Gorgeous'

The Stage

'Superb production of Puccini's colourful opera'

Culture Whisper

Running Time
2hrs 05mins

There is one interval.

Access

We have an Access Scheme for our audiences with a disability, a health condition, or different access needs to ensure everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable visit.

Tickets
Tickets start at just £10 plus £3.75 booking fee and £1.50 building levy per ticket. A maximum of £10.50 per transaction is charged.
Language
Sung in English with the words displayed above the stage (Surtitles)

Age Guidance: 12+

For more information, please contact our box office on 020 7845 9300 or [email protected]

Small plates at the London Coliseum

Kick start your night at the opera

Join us before the show for classic Italian ‘cicchetti’ and Spanish tapas, followed by dessert during the interval.

Read more

Discover La bohème

La bohème Creative Team 2024

Clelia Cafiero

Conductor

Jonathan Miller

Director

Crispin Lord

Revival Director

Isabella Bywater

Set and Costume Designer

Jean Kalman

Original Lighting Designer

Marc Rosette

Revival Lighting Designer

Amanda Holden

Translator

La bohème Opera Cast 2024

La bohème FAQs

A performance of La bohème lasts approximately 2hrs 5mins, including one interval.

While the setting for La bohème is in Paris, the opera was originally written by Italian composer  Giacomo Puccini and performed his native Italian. However, at ENO, we perform La bohème in English with the words displayed above the stage (surtitles). We believe that singing in English enhances the emotional connection between performers and audiences.

La bohème consists of four acts:

Act one: Introduction of the characters and setting of the stage for Rodolfo and Mimì’s love story.

Act two: Set on a lively Parisian Street and focussing on the complex relationships between characters.

Act three: Depicts a cold winter morning where our characters are struggling with Mimì’s declining health and their increasing battle with poverty.

Act four: Returning to the garret, the story reaches its conclusion.

Yes. La bohème is widely considered as one of the greatest and most beloved operas of all time.

Its popularity has been sustained since the 1896 premiere, and it continues to captivate audiences globally – with Puccini’s score for La bohème praised for its ability to capture a range of emotions.