Opera Explained: La Bohème

Puccini's La Bohème is one of the most beloved and enduring operas of all time. The poignant story of Mimì and Rodolfo is told in music of tender beauty, resulting in an opera that readily appeals to our emotions and senses. Thomson Smillie outlines the background to the opera, explaining how painstakingly the composer worked to achieve this effect. An absorbing introduction both for those approaching La Bohème for the first time and for those wanting to know a bit more than just the big arias.