Tickets
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Dates
Location
Approximate timings
The performance lasts approximately 2 hours 35 minutes, including one interval
Act I:
40 minutes
Act II:
20 minutes
Interval:
30 minutes
Act III:
30 minutes
Act IV:
35 minutes
Accessibility
- Audio Described
- Captioned
- BSL Interpreted
- Touch Tour
Expand all dates
Sunday 5 July, 3:00 pm
Saturday 11 July, 1:30 pm
Saturday 11 July, 7:00 pm
Guidance
Suitable for age 5+
Children under the age five are not permitted into our theatres. Children over age five must have their own ticket and sit next to an accompanying adult.
Language
Sung in Italian with English surtitles, which are displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.
Generous support from
A co-production with
Teatro Real, Madrid, and Lyric Opera of Chicago
Exceptional philanthropic support from
Royal Ballet and Opera Principal The Julia Rausing Trust
Generous philanthropic support from
The Kirkland & Ellis Partners' Circle
The Youth Opera Company is generously supported by
Yvonne and Bjarne Rieber
Synopsis
When Rodolfo, a penniless poet, meets Mimì, a seamstress, they fall instantly in love. Rodolfo introduces Mimì to his bohemian friends Marcello, Colline and Schaunard, and the group heads to Café Momus, where Marcello reunites with his ex-girlfriend Musetta. But the happiness of the friends – and of budding romance – is threatened when Rodolfo learns that Mimì is gravely ill. Can the warmth of friendship – and of young love – sustain the group of bohemians through the hardships of a cold winter?
Read the full synopsis
Creatives
The artists and creatives behind the production
Music
Libretto
Director
Designer
Lighting Designer
Movement Director
Discover
When Rodolfo, a penniless poet, meets Mimì, a seamstress, they fall instantly in love. Rodolfo introduces Mimì to his bohemian friends Marcello, Colline and Schaunard, and the group heads to Café Momus, where Marcello reunites with his ex-girlfriend Musetta. But the happiness of the friends – and of budding romance – is threatened when Rodolfo learns that Mimì is gravely ill. Can the warmth of friendship – and of young love – sustain the group of bohemians through the hardships of a cold winter?
Experience your first opera with Puccini’s famous love story, or return to The Royal Opera for an enduring favourite. With its Parisian setting, tender exploration of first love and both humorous and heartbreaking celebration of friendship, La bohème captivates audiences time and time again, making it the perfect choice for your first visit to the opera. Richard Jones’ beloved staging spotlights the modernism of Paris on the cusp of monumental change and the intimate lives of the city’s Bohemian dreamers.
Puccini’s much-loved La bohème
The inspiration
La bohème received its world premiere at Turin’s Teatro Regio in 1896 and its Covent Garden debut the following year. Composer Giacomo Puccini was inspired by Henri Murger’s 1851 episodic novel, Scènes de la vie de bohème (‘Scenes of the bohemian life’). The libretto was written by playwright Luigi Illica and poet Giuseppe Giacosa. It is currently one of the best-loved operas worldwide, and the opera most performed at the Royal Opera House.
A timeless love story
The music
With its soaring love duets, intimate arias and spectacular chorus scenes, Puccini’s timeless Parisian tale has enduring appeal to audiences throughout the ages. The opera’s beautiful score includes highlights ‘Sì, mi chiamano Mimì’ (Yes, they call me Mimì) and Musetta’s ‘Quando m’en vo’ (When I go along) – and Puccini himself wept at the music of the poignant final scene.
To find out more about the production, including key plot points and background information: read our La bohème Opera Essentials page.
La bohème: trailer
Gallery
Accessibility and resources
There is lift access and step-free routes to over 100 seats in the Stalls Circle, Balcony and Amphitheatre. There are 10 steps or fewer to some seats in the Stalls Circle, Balcony, Amphitheatre and the Donald Gordon Grand Tier. All seats in the Orchestra stalls are accessed by 9 steps or more.
We have an assistive listening system available to use. Surtitles, captions and translations in English are displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.
An Audio Described introduction is available to listen to here.
Join our Access Scheme for priority access to tickets and to inform us of your access requirements.
See our Accessibility page for more information or view a visitors guide (PDF, 12.0 MB).
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