Two premieres of Giacomo Puccini’s opera hit “La bohème” on stage in Gdańsk and Łódź at the end of the year

November celebrates the centenary of Giacomo Puccini’s death, which falls on the 29th of the month. On this occasion, two opera theaters in Poland, the Baltic Opera in Gdańsk and the Grand Theater in Łódź, premiere the composer’s hit “La bohème.”

Puccini wrote “La bohème” in 1896. Giuseppe Giacosa’s libretto tells the story of four poor artists: Schaunard, Rodolfo, Colline and Marcello. Rodolfo falls in love with Mimì, but the girl’s illness stands in the way of their love.

Romuald Wicza-Pokojski, director of the show at the Baltic Opera in Gdańsk, leaves the title of Puccini’s work in the original language version, but sets the story in the modern world. The plot takes place against the background of a contemporary metropolis. The city’s characteristic constant movement emphasizes the dynamism of the staging. In such approach, the most important issue becomes the problem of the opposition between the world of uncompromising pursuit for realizing one’s own visions and dreams, and the world of opportunistic and conformist attitudes that we are familiar with nowadays. The premiere is scheduled for November 23, 2024, with more performances on November 24, 26, 28-30 and December 1, 21, 22 and 31 (New Year’s Eve performance). The detailed cast and creatives are available here.

“La bohème” has been shown by the Grand Theater in Łódź three times – most recently in 2007, in a production by Laco Adamik. The first performances of the new staging by Marcin Łakomicki, under the musical direction of Rafał Janiak, are scheduled for December 7 and 8, and the next ones for December 17 and 18, 2024. The premiere is part of the first Puccini Festival, which will be held from November 15 to December 22, 2024. The detailed cast and creatives are available here.

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