Maryland Opera Studio/UMD Symphony Orchestra: Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème

Kay Theatre

Composer Giacomo Puccini
Libretto Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
Director Andrea Dorf McGray
Conductor Giovanni Reggioli
Chorus Master Allan Laino

Since its premiere in 1896, Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème has been one of the world’s most beloved operas. Based on Henri Murger's novel Scènes de la vie de bohème (1851) and serving as the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical RENT, Puccini's opera focuses on a group of artists, composers, philosophers, poets, and friends in a romanticized and bohemian Paris of the 1830s.

The Maryland Opera Studio's second-year MM Voice students bring this enduring story to brilliant life on the stage of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

Learn more about Puccini and his operas in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library through recordings, scores, films, and critical commentary:

• Herni Murger: Explore Murger's novel, Puccini's inspriation for La Bohème.
• Film: Did you enjoy Moulin Rouge? Don't miss a production of La Bohème by the The Australian Opera Chorus and Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, directed by Baz Luhrmann (famous for Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge, and the upcoming film adaptation of The Great Gatsby.)
• Recordings: Experience performances of La Bohème by performers from all over the world.
• Scores: Follow along with the performance with a score available from MSPAL.
• Books: Learn more about Puccini's life and works through biographies and critical commentary and analysis of La Bohème.

Interested in exploring La Bohème or Jonathan Larson's RENT a little further? Don't miss our MSPAL Libguides!

Experience a performance of Puccini's La Bohème at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, conducted by Andris Nelsons, streamed from Alexander Street Press's Opera in Video.