Giacomo Puccini – Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa
La bohème
Hearts break, but art remains
The moon lights up the rooftops of cold, wintery Parisian. Art and love warm the hearts of the city’s young bohemians, and Giacomo Puccini’s music has the same effect on the audience.
As Christmas approaches, poet Rodolfo’s life is turned upside down by the delicate Mimi. Their passionate love, however, is overshadowed by illness, and as spring arrives with the sun’s comforting rays, Mimi’s strength is failing. Their moments of joy speed past, and in the end Mimi’s hands never warm up again.
In bohemian Paris, art, love, life and death are irrevocably intertwined. La bohème’s candid description of youth, passion and grief makes it one of the most-loved opera classics of the world.
The audience favourite has already been performed at the Finnish National Opera more than 300 times. The realistic and powerful interpretation presented now also examines the narrow scope of women’s position and their death of options in life in 19th century society.
“There are only two topics worth addressing in opera: love and death. La bohème is about both, the entire narrative being a struggle between the two. When the warmth of the sun eagerly awaited by Mimì finally arrives, her hands grow cold forever. Death triumphs over light through poverty”
– director Katariina Lahti
Reviews
I’ve seen La bohème in many opera houses, but this performance was perhaps the most wonderful of them all. Thank you for a fantastic and truly enjoyable evening!
– Audience feedback
What a fantastic experience! Having very little prior experience of opera, I came with no preconceptions. The performance took me by surprise, both musically and visually. It was enjoyable and deeply moving, and I was delighted to realise that there is no need to be a seasoned opera enthusiast to fully appreciate it.
– Audience feedback
My first time at the opera will certainly not be my last! An amazing performance and a marvellous experience.
– Audience feedback
Tickets and performances
Watch trailer
Synopsis
It’s Christmas Eve in Paris, and the bohemian artists’ attic room is freezing cold. When the landlord arrives to collect the rent, the four friends throw him out. They decide to spend the money on a proper dinner instead.
Poet Rodolfo stays at home to write as the others head out to Café Momus. Mimì from next door knocks on the door, asking Rodolfo to light her candle, which has gone out. Coughing, she gets ready to leave but realises she has dropped her key. While the two look for it together, Rodolfo takes her hand. They tell each other their life stories and fall in love.
Read full synopsis
It’s busy outside Cafè Momus: street traders, families, loners, the rich and the poor are all out for Christmas. Rodolfo has bought Mimì a bonnet. He presents her to his friends.
On a February morning, Mimì comes to meet Marcello. She opens up about Rodolfo’s jealousy and how it’s driving them to separation. When Rodolfo arrives, Mimì hides and we hear Rodolfo’s side of the story. A coughing fit exposes Mimì, who tells Rodolfo that they must break up.
Spring has arrived. The bohemians still live in their attic room, as poor as before. Musetta enters with the critically ill Mimì, saying that Mimì has left her lover and wants to die with Rodolfo by her side. Once left alone, Mimì and Rodolfo reminisce about their first encounter. Mimì says Rodolfo is her entire life, her love, her everything.
A doctor has been summoned, but help arrives too late. Mimì’s final words are followed by silence. It takes a moment before Rodolfo understands what has happened.
Gallery
The master composer’s tour de force
creative team
- Music
- Giacomo Puccini
- Libretto
- Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica
- Director
- Katariina Lahti
- Revival Director
- Riikka Räsänen
- Set Design
- Mark Väisänen
- Costume Design
- Anna Sinkkonen
- Lighting Design
- Matti Leinonen
- Video Design
- Jenni Valorinta
- Conductor
- Nil Venditti
cast
- Parpignol
- NN NN
Performance-specific soloists are published in the performance listing.
listen to La bohème
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Stage24: more about the work
The keys to an entertaining evening
The performance takes place on our Main Stage, which has no fewer than 1,300 seats in its auditorium. Please note that the 3rd balcony is very high up. It provides an impressive view, but the front-row seats on this level may not suit those with a fear of heights. Explore the Main Stage and find out more about where to sit. You can also compare the view from different parts of the auditorium.
Price categories: Seats in the auditorium are priced according to the view of the stage and divided into eight price categories (A–H). In addition to seat location, the price is affected by the performance date and demand. Only standard-priced tickets are available in the lowest price categories (F–H).
Discounts
Discounts are available for selected productions, performances, and seats in the Stalls and the 1st and 2nd Balconies, unless otherwise indicated.
- Pensioners: €10 discount per ticket for selected seats in the Stalls and the 1st Balcony. The discount is available to all holders of the card for national pension recipients and anyone aged 65 or over.
- Students, military and non-military servicemen: 40% discount on the full ticket price.
- Children and those aged 20 and under: 40–50% discount on the full ticket price.
- Same-day tickets: A special rate of €30 per ticket is available for those aged 20 and under, students, military and non-military servicemen, the unemployed, and pensioners. The discount applies to seats in the Stalls, no earlier than 12 hours before the performance and subject to availability.
Please note that full-price and concessionary tickets for under-20s, students, and pensioners can be exchanged in our online store free of charge up to 24 hours before the performance. The value of the ticket(s) is credited to your customer account for later use.
Children and young people up to the age of 20 are eligible for a 40–50% discount on ticket prices.
Please note that children under the age of 5 are not admitted to Main Stage performances. The age recommendation for each production can be found at the top of its dedicated page.
For the best view, we recommend seats in the front Stalls or the centre of the 1st Balcony. If you’re unsure which seats would be most suitable, our customer service team will be happy to help you find the best options.
To ensure an enjoyable and memorable visit, see our Visiting with children page for more tips.
You can easily purchase accessible seats either through our online store or customer service. On the auditorium map, you can check the locations of accessible seats in the Main Stage auditorium (pdf). The accessible seats are marked with wheelchair icons to make choosing your seat easier.
Read more detailed instructions for purchasing accessible seats and ensure your visit is effortlessly enjoyable from start to finish.
The programme booklet provides background information about the production, its creators, and the story. It is published on the day of the premiere and can be purchased before the performance from the customer service desk in the Töölönlahti lobby, the sales desk at the Mannerheimintie entrance, all open counters of the Opera Restaurant, and selected members of our lobby staff. The price of the programme booklet is €7.
You can also buy the programme booklet in advance from our customer service desk or online via the Order refreshments page. See more detailed instructions here on how to purchase the programme booklet on the Order refreshments page.
The digital cast details for each opera and ballet, including the evening’s cast and creative team, are published online no later than on the day of the performance (please note that the link opens in a separate window). Cast details are also available on the displays and touch screens in the foyers, as well as under the My events tab in the mobile app.
Enhance your experience with refreshments. You can enjoy refreshments before the performance or during the interval. We recommend placing your order in advance, either through our online store or by calling our customer service. If tables are still available, online sales close no later than 24 hours before the performance.
Using the Opera&Ballet mobile app, you can order interval refreshments to a pick-up counter until shortly before the performance begins. Learn more about pick-up orders.
The Opera House is located by Töölönlahti bay. Our address is Helsinginkatu 58, which is well served by public transport.
The main entrance on the Mannerheimintie side usually opens 1.5 hours before the start of a Main Stage performance. Please make sure you arrive in good time, at least 15 minutes before the performance begins. Latecomers are only admitted after the interval so as not to disturb the performance.
How to dress for the performance? Can I wear perfume? Do I need to pay for the cloakroom? Find answers to these questions and more on our Tips for visitors page. We have put together a comprehensive guide to help make your visit to the Opera House a success.