CHICAGO (1/30/25) — Puccini’s masterpiece La Bohème, on stage at Lyric Opera of Chicago from March 15 to April 12, 2025, captures the essence of young love, artistic passion, and the bittersweet nature of life’s fleeting joys. An extraordinary blend of world-class performers — Pene Pati in his Lyric debut and returning favorites Ailyn Pérez, Gabriella Reyes, and Will Liverman — masterfully reenact the triumphs and struggles of bohemian Paris. Conducted by Jordan de Souza and directed by Melanie Bacaling, this poignant and visually stunning production is sure to captivate audiences of all ages with its enduring charm.
Love burns bright in the City of Light. Against the backdrop of 19th-century Paris, a group of scrappy young artists navigate the complicated social landscape of love and loss. At the center of it all is the tender love story of Rodolfo, a poet, and Mimì, a fragile seamstress. As their love blossoms, the realities of poverty and illness loom, weaving a tale of passion, sacrifice, and the enduring power of connection. This vibrant opera is bursting with soaring arias, lush ensembles, and moments of both joyous celebration and heartbreaking tragedy. Reflecting its well-deserved reputation as a classic, Puccini’s score brings the bohemian lifestyle to life like no other. From the camaraderie of Café Momus to the intimacy of Mimì and Rodolfo’s duets, La Bohème is an emotional journey that will leave audiences reaching for their handkerchiefs.
An operatic dream team. La Bohème is a showcase for the unparalleled artistry of some of opera’s most acclaimed voices.
- Pene Pati leads the cast as Rodolfo in his Lyric debut. After performing on stages from San Francisco to Paris, this Samoan tenor won the 2022 Reader's Choice Award at the International Opera Awards, and has been hailed as "the most exceptional tenor discovery of the last decade." He recently made his much anticipated Metropolitan Opera debut as the Duke in Verdi’s Rigoletto.
- Chicagoland native soprano Ailyn Pérez returns to Lyric to sing her signature role as Mimì. Pérez has made four previous appearances at Lyric, most recently as Adina in Donizetti's The Elixir of Love in the 2021/22 Season, and has performed as Mimì at major opera houses worldwide, including at London’s Royal Ballet and Opera and earlier this season in acclaimed performances at the Met and the Vienna State Opera. Known for her breathtaking artistry, this Richard Tucker Award winner continues to captivate audiences with her memorable portrayals of opera’s most iconic female leads.
- Soprano Gabriella Reyes returns to Lyric in the role of Musetta, following her acclaimed debut as Rosalba in Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas during the 2021/22 Season. Reyes has moved audiences worldwide with her dynamic artistry. She has previously performed Mimì with the Atlanta Opera and Musetta with the Met and the Philadelphia Orchestra, earning raves for her interpretations of Puccini’s beloved heroines.
- Grammy Award-winning baritone Will Liverman also stars as Marcello. An alumnus of Lyric’s renowned artist-development program, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, Liverman is celebrated for his versatility and artistry, from dramatic and comedic roles to groundbreaking works like The Factotum, the soul-infused opera he co-created and premiered at Lyric in the 2022/23 Season. A recipient of the Met’s Beverly Sills Artist Award, he continues to thrill audiences with his dynamic performances, including recent standout roles in Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons's Fire Shut Up in My Bones and Anthony Davis and Thulani Davis’s X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X.
Powerful supporting talent. Lyric is marshaling forces from around the world to bring La Bohème to life. Renowned bass Peixin Chen, playing Colline, is known for his powerful voice and dramatic range. He was last seen at Lyric as the Monk in Verdi’s Don Carlos in the 2022/23 Season and performs a diverse repertoire from comedic roles in Donizetti and Mozart to the intense characters of Verdi and Wagner. La Bohème features two current members of the Ryan Opera Center Ensemble. Baritone Ian Rucker plays Schaunard, after appearing as the Foreman in Janáček’s Jenůfa and as Man at Bar in Terence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer’s Champion in Lyric’s 2023/24 Season. Fellow Ensemble member and tenor Travon D. Walker takes the stage to perform Parpignol. Winner of the 2024 Best Vocal Artist Award from the American Opera Society, Walker returns to Lyric’s stage after receiving much critical acclaim for his role as the Son in this season's production of Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s Blue. Baritone and Ryan Opera Center alumnus Levi Hernandez returns to Lyric to sing the roles of Benoit and Alcindoro, having performed Schaunard in the 2007/08 Season.
Shaping the story. Conductor Jordan de Souza makes a triumphant return to Lyric after previously leading the Lyric Opera Orchestra in Florencia en el Amazonas in the 2021/22 Season. An accomplished Puccini specialist, he led La Bohème at the Canadian Opera Company during their 2023/24 Season. De Souza was recently appointed General Music Director of Theater Dortmund and Chief Conductor of Dortmund Philharmoniker, with a five-year tenure beginning in August 2025. Alongside de Souza, Melanie Bacaling returns to Chicago to direct La Bohème. She recently worked on the world premiere of The Factotum during Lyric’s 2022/23 Season. In addition to her nation-spanning credits working on productions for the Met, the Detroit Opera, and Santa Fe Opera, she has also recently broken into the film world with her new concert docuseries The Butterfly Process: B (2022). Bacaling and de Souza bring La Bohème to renewed life in a captivating, new-to-Chicago production.
Turning vision into reality. The set design was created by Gerard Howland in his Lyric debut. Costume designer Jeannique Prospere reimagines the costumes originally designed by Peter J. Hall; lighting design is by Duane Schuler, an acclaimed designer of nearly 200 Lyric productions. Chorus Director Michael Black leads the 60-member Lyric Opera Chorus. They will be joined by Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children's Choir) under the direction of Josephine Lee.
A treasured classic back on stage. With its timeless story of affection and adversity, La Bohème continues to enchant audiences with its intense emotion and unparalleled melodies. With its stirring music and unforgettable characters, this production brings the heart of Paris to life and reminds us why La Bohème — the inspiration for the iconic Broadway musical Rent — remains one of the most beloved operas of all time.
Important to know:
- Ten chances to see La Bohème: March 15, 19 matinee, 22, 25, 28, and 31 and April 3 matinee, 6 matinee, 9, and 12 matinee.
- Sung in Italian, with easy-to-follow projected English titles above the stage.
- A total running time of 2 hours and 20 minutes, including one intermission.
- To complement the performances, Lyric presents the art exhibition La Bohème: An "American" Opera, featuring works by Ryan Opera Center stage director alumnus Luther Lewis, on view to ticketholders in the Grand Foyer. Inspired by 1990s Harlem and Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, this vibrant exhibit reimagines Puccini’s timeless opera through a new cultural lens and reminds modern audiences of the struggles and triumphs of being a young artist. The exhibit is also open to the public from March 18 to April 10, on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (excluding March 27 and April 3).
- Ticketholders are invited to a free pre-opera talk by noted opera scholar Dr. Harris Saunders on La Bohème’s composition history and social context; the talks begin one hour before each performance on the main floor of the theater.
- Audio description, a guided touch tour of the set, and SoundShirts are available at the Sunday, April 6 matinee performance. Braille and large-print programs, high-powered opera glasses, assistive listening devices, and booster seats are available from the main floor coat check at all performances. For more information on these and other accessibility assets, visit lyricopera.org/accessibility.
- A production of Los Angeles Opera and Dallas Opera. Production by Herbert Ross.
- For more information and tickets, visit lyricopera.org/boheme or call 312.827.5600.
