Puccini’s “La bohème” from Arena di Verona in cinemas across Poland throughout March
Throughout March, cinemas across Poland will screen “La bohème,” the famous operatic melodrama based on Henri Murger’s autobiographical novel „Scenes of Bohemian Life.” This will be a retransmission of a performance recorded during the summer 2024 opera festival in Verona, Italy.
Puccini composed “La bohème” in 1896. The libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa tells the story of four impoverished artists—Schaunard, Rodolfo, Colline, and Marcello. Rodolfo falls in love with Mimì, but their love is overshadowed by her illness. This undeniable tearjerker is unquestionably one of the world’s most beloved operas. Though set in the realities of the 19th century, it continues to move audiences to this day.
The greatest strength of “La bohème” lies in its universality – the libretto touches on commonly shared emotions. Themes of love greater than life, broken heart, and the pain of loss resonate powerfully through Puccini’s incredible music. The romantic arias “Che gelida manina” or “Mi chiamano Mimì” always receive thunderous applause.
The amphitheater Arena di Verona is famous for its annual Opera Festival, held since 1913. During the summer weeks, over 20,000 spectators gather for outdoor evening performances. Last year, “La bohème” returned to the repertoire after a thirteen-year absence, in a new but traditional production — the very one that will be shown on the big screen. The vast open-air stage transformed into a snow-covered 19th-century Paris features international stars: Vittorio Grigòlo as Rodolfo and Juliana Grigoryan as Mimì. Television director Alfonso Signorini resisted the temptation to adapt the production for a contemporary audience, proposing a classic version of “La bohème.” The entire performance was conducted with characteristic expressiveness by Israeli-born Italian opera expert Daniel Oren.
Cinemas and screening dates are available here.