La Bohème

March 15. 2025 - April 12. 2025

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Saturday
03/15/2025
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $69

Wednesday
03/19/2025
2:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $69

Saturday
03/22/2025
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $59

Tuesday
03/25/2025
7:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $49

Friday
03/28/2025
7:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $69

Monday
03/31/2025
7:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $42

Thursday
04/03/2025
2:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $59

Sunday
04/06/2025
2:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $69

Wednesday
04/09/2025
7:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $59

Saturday
04/12/2025
2:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $69

March 15. 2025 - April 12. 2025

Tickets

- Overview
- Events
- Articles
- Artists

New-to-Chicago production La Bohème

Lyric Opera presents the enduring, passionate masterpiece La Bohème. Puccini brings unique beauty and sensitivity to this tale of young lovers in 19th-century Paris. With the famous arias of the ardent poet Rodolfo, the fragile seamstress Mimì, and the good-hearted party-girl Musetta, matched perfectly to the romance and heartbreak of this universal story, La Bohème is operatic perfection. At Lyric, two dazzling sopranos, Ailyn Pérez and Gabriella Reyes, are paired with the shining-voiced tenor Pene Pati (in his Lyric debut) and the vibrant baritone Will Liverman, in a production that will be a truly memorable moment in the company’s longstanding tradition of great La Bohème performances.

Language: Sung in Italian with projected English titles
Running Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes, including 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House

Audio-described performance

Audio-described performances include a narration which guides the listener through the presentation with concise, objective descriptions of new scenes, settings, costumes, and body language, communicated to the patron through headphones at appropriate times throughout the performance. Devices may be borrowed from coat check 1 on the main floor.
SoundShirt

The SoundShirt uses touch sensation to allow wearers the ability to feel music on their upper body, in real time with the orchestra and singers. SoundShirts must be reserved online or by calling the Audiences Services team at 312.827.5600.
Touch tour

Guided touch tours tailored to patrons who are blind or have low-vision are held prior to the performance.
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Lyric’s presentation of Puccini’s La Bohème is generously made possible by an Anonymous Donor, Josef & Margot Lakonishok, Lisbeth Stiffel, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, The Julius Frankel Foundation, ITW, The Beaubien Family, Gramma Fisher Foundation of Marshalltown, Iowa, Richard O. Ryan, and Lori Komisar & Morris Silverman.

Events

Lobby exhibition

La Bohème: An “American” Opera

Join us as Luther Lewis, Ryan Opera Center Stage Director alumnus, exhibits his La Bohème concepts of productions he’d like one day to bring to life on stage. This exhibition will be open to all audiences attending performances of La Bohème. It will also be open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 PM to 2 PM, except on March 27 and April 3. The exhibition will close on April 12. Lewis explores the intersection of classical music and Black creativity, showcasing how the story of young artists and their struggle for love and inspiration resonates across cultures and generations.

Pre-opera talk

Speaker: Dr. Harris Saunders

Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.

Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.

Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.

Articles

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Spotlight on Ailyn Pérez

Ailyn Pérez has a heartstoppingly beautiful voice. It’s a glowing, full-toned lyric soprano, produced with sovereign technique and abundant artistry, so that it seems to draw every person who hears her into an embrace. She combines that sound with a warm, gracious, utterly natural stage presence that illuminates every character she plays.

Opera on Broadway: La Bohème vs. Rent

Whether you’re an opera lover or a Broadway fanatic, you’ve probably heard by now that Jonathan Larson’s 1996 musical Rent was loosely based on Puccini’s 1896 opera La Bohème. But if that’s news to you, don’t worry! Let us walk you through the similarities… (some spoilers ahead!)

Q&A with Gabriella Reyes

In this exclusive Q&A, Gabriella Reyes delves into her evolving portrayal of Musetta, her heartfelt connection with Chicago audiences, and the joys and challenges of switching between the complex characters of Musetta and Mimì. Her reflections reveal a profound understanding of her craft and the intense emotions that fuel her performances. Whether discussing her favorite moments on stage or balancing the demands of a dynamic career, Gabriella's passion and dedication to opera are unmistakable.

Ailyn Pérez

Mimì

Ailyn Pérez

Soprano

Hailed by the New York Times as "a beautiful woman who commands the stage" and "a major soprano," Ailyn Pérez is in demand at the world's leading opera houses and cultural capitals.

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Pene Pati *

Rodolfo

Pene Pati

Rodolfo

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Gabriella Reyes

Musetta

Gabriella Reyes

Musetta

Chosen by WQXR in New York as one of “20 for 20 Artists to Watch” and named a 2019 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist (Metropolitan Opera), the Nicaraguan-American soprano is rapidly ascending to prominence.

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Will Liverman **

Marcello

Will Liverman

Marcello

The American baritone and Ryan Opera Center alumnus earned critical acclaim as Dizzy Gillespie/Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD .

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Peixin Chen

Colline

Peixin Chen

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Ian Rucker ***

Schaunard

Ian Rucker

Schaunard

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Ian Rucker is a baritone in the Ryan Opera Center Ensemble.

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Levi Hernandez **

Benoit & Alcindoro

Levi Hernandez

Benoit & Alcindoro

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

The American baritone, a Ryan Opera Center alumnus, has rapidly gained momentum as a sought-after artist.

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Travon D. Walker ***

Parpignol

Travon D. Walker

Parpignol

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Travon D. Walker is a tenor in the Ryan Opera Center Ensemble.

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Jordan de Souza

Conductor

Jordan de Souza

Conductor

The Canadian conductor served as First Kapellmeister of the Komische Oper Berlin from 2017 through 2020.

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Melanie Bacaling

Director

Melanie Bacaling

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Gerard Howland *

Set Designer

Gerard Howland

Set Designer

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Peter J. Hall

Original Costume Designer

Peter J. Hall

Original Costume Designer

The distinguished British designer (1926-2010), whose Puritani costumes were seen at Lyric in the company’s previous revival of Bellini’s opera (1991/92 season), created costumes for some of the stage’s most celebrated luminaries.

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Jeannique Prospere

Costume Designer

Jeannique Prospere

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Duane Schuler

Lighting Designer

Duane Schuler

Lighting Designer

Former resident lighting designer Duane Schuler worked on more than 140 productions at Lyric Opera since 1977.

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Michael Black

Chorus Director

Michael Black

Chorus Director and Head of Music

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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Josephine Lee

Children's Chorus Director

Josephine Lee

Children's Chorus Director

Josephine Lee, the president and artistic director of Uniting Voices Chicago has revolutionized youth choral music.

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