Puccini’s La Bohème, the most-performed opera in Met history, returns to the repertory this season with 15 performances of Franco Zeffirelli’s production from October 2, 2017 to March 10, 2018. Initial performances feature soprano Angel Blue making her Met stage debut as Mimì, with the role sung later in the season by Anita Hartig and Sonya Yoncheva. Three acclaimed tenors, Dmytro Popov, Russell Thomas and Michael Fabiano, share the role of Rodolfo. Sopranos Brigitta Kele and Susana Phillips play Musetta with baritones Lucas Meachem and Michael Todd Simpson as Marcello.
Across the season, Rodolfo and Marcello’s fellow bohemians are portrayed by rising star baritones Duncan Rock and Alexay Lavrov as Schaunard, while Colline is sung by British basses Matthew Rose, who earlier in the season appears as Oroveso in the Met’s season premiere of Bellini’s Norma, and David Soar. Veteran bass Paul Plishka sings both the roles of Benoit and Alcindoro at all performances this season, marking the 50th anniversary of his Met debut in 1967.
Alexander Soddy, currently music director of the National Theater Mannheim, makes his Met debut conducting performances from October 2 to November 4. Marco Armiliato, who has conducted over 400 performances with the Met including 64 performances of La Bohème, takes up the baton from February 15 to March 10, 2018. The Italian maestro leads two other Puccini operas this season: Turandot and Madama Butterfly.
Further information, including biographies of principal artists, is available in our online press room here.
Performances: October 2, 6, 9, 14, 19, 23, 27; November 1, 4; February 16, 21, 24mat; March 2, 7, 10. Curtain times vary: complete schedule here. Running time: 2 hours and 55 minutes, two intermissions.
Tickets begin at $25; for prices, more information, or to place an order, please call (212) 362-6000 or visit www.metopera.org. Special rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling (212) 341-5410 or visiting www.metopera.org/groups.
Same-day $25 rush tickets for all performances of La Bohème are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the Met’s Web site. Tickets will go on sale for performances Monday–Friday at noon, matinees four hours before curtain, and Saturday evenings at 2pm. For more information on rush tickets, click here.