La Bohème

Under the Parisian sky walk two lovers… Since 1896, Mimi and Rodolfo have been at the heart of one of the most beloved operas in the repertoire: how to live, love, or part, to celebrate or to die, when you are but 20 years old?

For his first operatic staging, David Geselson, artist-in-residence at the Théâtre Dijon Bourgogne, delves into the roots of La Bohème. Captured by Henry Murger in his Scenes of Bohemian Life, Paris in 1830 is effervescent: the July Revolution has toppled Charles X and ended the Restoration. In their humble workshop, Rodolfo and his artist friends are penniless but free to pursue their dreams.

The set design by Lisa Navarro and Benjamin Moreau evokes the romantic fire that consumes them, while also portraying the social tapestry of a street bustling with beggars, workers, bourgeois, and street vendors. To bring Puccini’s vibrant music to life, Marta Gardolińska will lead the Dijon Bourgogne Orchestra, the Choirs of the Dijon Opera and the Nancy-Lorraine National Opera, as well as the Maîtrise de Dijon.

Libretto Giuseppe Giacosa & Luigi Illica

Musical director Marta Gardolińska
Dijon Bourgogne Orchestra 
Dijon Opera Choir 
Nancy-Lorraine National Opera Choir
Maîtrise de Dijon

Stage director David Geselson
Stage sets Lisa Navarro 
Costumes Benjamin Moreau 
Lighting Jérémie Papin 
Videos Jérémie Scheidler 
Assistant to the stage director Sophie Bricaire

Rodolfo Angel Romero 
Mimi Lucie Peyramaure 
Marcello Yoann Dubruque 
Musetta Florie Valiquette
Schaunard Louis de Lavignère
Colline Adrien Mathonat 

Coproduction Nancy-Lorraine National Opera (executive producer), Dijon Opera, Théâtre de Caen, Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Reims Opera