Bohemian life

"Mimì is an extraordinary character, she is an artist without a medium, a woman without a future and she is Rodolfo’s dream." Annabel Arden

Mimì, a seamstress, and Rodolfo, an impoverished writer, fall in love instantly on Christmas Eve. Their happiness is short lived however. Mimì’s health deteriorates and to make matters worse she must deal with Rodolfo’s growing irrational jealousy. Their friends, Musetta and Marcello rekindle their love for each other. However, they quickly realise that they can’t live with each other or without each other. By spring both couples will have to come to terms with the fact that love cannot conquer all.

La bohème is one of the best-loved of all operas and is one of the greatest love stories ever sung. Welsh National Opera’s major new production set in the early 20th century, sees internationally acclaimed director Annabel Arden make her company debut. WNO’s former Music Director Carlo Rizzi returns to conduct.

Running time 2 hours 20 minutes including one interval

Sung in Italian with surtitles in English and Welsh

Click here to download 2011/12 season brochure.

Conductor Carlo Rizzi Director Annabel Arden Designer Stephen Brimson-Lewis Choreographer Philippe Giraudeau